Life Member Of Mahwah Fire Company Dies At 63

MAHWAH, NJ —A 39-year member of Mahwah Fire Co. 2 and retired water utility worker died Saturday, his obituary published by Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home said.

Joseph Ullrich, or "Joe Mama" as he was often called, died at age 63, and is survived by seven siblings, and several nieces and nephews.

Born in 1959 in Suffern, New York, Ullrich was "one of a kind" and always there when others needed him, Suffern Hook & Ladder Co. 1, which considered him "one of our own," said in a Facebook post.

"Sometimes we didn't even need to ask for his help he would just show up," the Suffern fire company said. "Rest easy Joe Mama; we will take it from here."

Previously with the Ramsey Water Department, Ullrich retired from the Mahwah Department of Public Works in 2014 after 26 years, his obituary said. He started with Mahwah Fire Co. 2 in September 1983.

He is also an avid hunter and fisherman and a "longtime friend of Les Paul," his obituary added.