Family Fulfills Last Wish Of Longtime NJ Firefighter, Who Died At 110

LITTLE FALLS, NJ — Former Singac Volunteer Fire Company #3 chief Vincent Dransfield, who served the community of Little Falls for more than 85 years, died recently at the age of 110. And his family members were able to fulfill the longtime volunteer fireman's final wish, according to a report.

Chief Dransfield was born in Paterson on March 28, 1914 and lived in Passaic County his entire life, according to his obituary. He joined the Little Falls Fire Department at the age of 21, when firefighters still used horse-drawn water tanks.

In 1945, Dransfield moved into Little Falls with his late wife, Ann, and they welcomed their daughter Beverly into the world. He also served as chief of Fire Company #3 for eight years.

He lived independently at home until his death, and also remained on the fire company roster throughout his life — with his seniority and experience making him "essential" to help guide younger generations, the obituary stated.

Dransfield died on June 26, with family members noting that he passed peacefully at home in his obituary.

"He was extremely proud to be the oldest living fireman in the country, still showing up to the firehouse when the calls came in as recently as 2019," his family said.

Singac Fire Company #3 had announced his death on June 27, saying that "his knowledge, guidance and friendship are something that will be missed forever."

Dransfield's granddaughter Erica Lista told NJ.com that he wanted his casket to be taken to the cemetery in an antique fire truck, which he had helped refurbish in the 1980s.

The family was able to fulfill that wish in taking him from Little Falls to Totowa, the report said.

Dransfield had partially attributed his long life to drinking Ovaltine, and recently got a thank-you from the company with a basket full of the flavored drink mix.

Lista also said that her grandfather was buried in his favorite cap, declaring him the "oldest active fireman in the USA," and family placed a bottle of Ovaltine in the casket as well as a special memento.