PATTERSON

Patterson Chief Frank Smith congratulates the “birthday boy” on the occasion of his 104th birthday. ERIC GROSS Patterson Fire Department Life Member S. Del Goldsmith has lived a fulfilled life.

On the occasion of his 104th birthday last Friday members of the fire department traveled to Glen Arden, his senior residence in Orange County, to help the fire department’s Chaplain Emeritus celebrate the big day with a large sheet cake bearing the department’s logo.

Joining the firefighters and EMTs were Goldsmith’s son Steve and daughter Debby.

The department’s current chaplain Paul Maass began the festivities by delivering an invocation and acknowledging: “Although I do my best, Del is a hard act to follow.”

Del received a white chaplain’s cap and a new Patterson FD uniform jacket bearing 10 gold stripes on the sleeve— each stripe signifying five of his 50 years of service to the volunteer firefighting force.

S. Del Goldsmith wears his new attire. ERIC GROSS Four years ago, on the occasion of his 100th birthday, the fire department named its main firehouse off Route 311 the “Patterson FD—S. Del Goldsmith— Station 1” in his honor.

Patterson Fire Chief Frank Smith told the department’s most senior member: “You are a treasure. It is our privilege to be one of your brother firefighters.”

Patterson FD President Paul Smith, Putnam Assistant Commissioner of Emergency Services Adam Stiebeling— a former chief with the Patterson FD—and Lt. John Bodor, who heads the Patterson FD Fire Police and served with Goldsmith on many calls over the years, were among the two dozen representatives of the fire service who attended the gala.