April 2012 NEWSLETTER

We have been blessed with another month. Beautiful weather, good friends, LIFE IS GOOD!

MEMBER REPORT:

Edgar Aid and Bruce Strickland are both home recuperating after hip replacement surgery. Both are doing well.
Bob Masculine had rotator cup on his left shoulder. Bob is doing therapy and doing well. After recovering from this Bob will be having his knees replaced.
Emory Holsenbeck had both knees replaced. He was home doing well however, he suffered a setback when he fainted and fell to the floor. He was taken back to St. Vincent’s Hospital and treated for severe dehydration. He is home again and doing well.
Wayne Mikell has been in and out of the hospital several times over the last few months, not doing well. He is now home again.
Mickey Stoops daughter has been given only 2 months to live. She has been ill for some time and the cancer has now spread over her body. Please keep his family in your prayers.
John Shelton’s prostate cancer is at a standstill at the present time. He has undergone chemo and had seeds placed and is now home doing real well.
George Lee has lung cancer and is not doing well. He has a tumor that has surrounded his aorta.
Paul Lutzen is having some heart problems. Nothing has been diagnosed specifically yet and tests are being done.
Stewart Nelson spent several days in the hospital last week. He is unable to eat and keep anything down. Tests are being done.
J. R. Stevens, retired from Tanker 25, passed away suddenly at his home on Tuesday May 1, 2012. His son, John Stevens, Jr. is stationed at 40. Funeral arrangements have not been finalized yet.
Please keep all of our brothers and their families in your thoughts and prayers in their time of need and sorrow.

EVENTS:

Red Knights monthly meeting is Tuesday, May 8, 2012 at Denny’s on Blanding at I295. They are getting ready for their annual trip to the Smokey Mountains. They will be staying in Sevierville, TN for 7 days of motorcycling fun.

Monthly Firefighter’s Breakfast at the Piccadilly Thursday May 10, 2012.

Local 122 is sponsoring a Salute to Veteran’s on May 24, 2012. The Association bought a table for 10 veteran’s. The event will be held at the Firefighter’s Hall.

POINTS OF INTEREST:

If you happen to own an old Gamewell Firebox and would like to know where that number box was originally located, Wayne Doolittle has a list of all locations and would be glad to share that information.

There is a group of retiree’s that meet at the Hardee’s on Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park on every Thursday (except the monthly breakfast Thursday). President Wayne Doolittle attended the last one and the only person that was there was Richard Miller. They had a good time talking about everyone that was supposed to be there and exchanged stories. Richard is quite the historian and Wayne gave him a book with lots of history.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION:

On February 9, 2012 a letter was sent to all members that owed dues for this year. It is now May and we still have not received a great number of those dues. Please send a check for $26.00 to The Jacksonville Retired Firefighter’s Association, 625 Stockton Street, Jacksonville, Florida 32204.

On Friday, April 27, 2012 the 7th Annual Firefighter’s Widow’s Luncheon was held at the Firefighter’s Hall. There were 33 in attendance and a good time was had by all. The theme was a Hawaiian Luau. The menu included a whole smoked pig with all the trimmings. Linda wants to thank all the retiree’s that gave of their time to make sure all these widow’s had a good time. They comment was made by several of the Widow’s that because of this luncheon they feel as though they have not been left out of the firefighting family. They are certainly a unique group of ladies and are very appreciative of all the work that goes into this luncheon.

APRIL 2012 MEMBER PROFILE:

CLARENCE, (COSMO) ROBERTS, 68. Roy Wolf, son of George Wolf, (deceased firefighter) lived in the same neighborhood as Clarence when he was very young.
Roy is the person that gave Clarence his nickname. We all know Clarence as Cozzie.

Cozzie was born June 6, 1943 at St. Luke’s Hospital to Mary and Ernest Roberts. Cozzie is the youngest of four children. Cozzie has 2 brothers and a sister.

Cozzie attended Andrew Jackson High School and graduated in 1961. Cozzie played guard and tackle for the Tigers in the 10th, llth and 12th grade.

After graduation Cozzie joined the Marine Corp in 1962.

Cozzie married his high school sweetheart Dianne Haines in 1970. Their daughter Christy is the mother of their granddaughter Savannah. Their son Mark is the father of their grandson Brady. Mark followed in his father’s footsteps and is a firefighter. He is a Lt. at Sta. 18 on the B shift.

Cozzie was hired right before consolidation in June of 1968. His first assignment was Engine 1 C with Lt. Ernie Prescott as his first officer.

In 1978 Cozzie was promoted to Engineer and sent to Engine 30 with Captain Tim Ellis as his officer.

Cozzie’s most memorable incident was a vehicle accident when he was assigned to Engine 34. A woman driving crossed over the center line and hit a Winn Dixie semi truck head on. Cozzie says that they had to extricated the woman in two pieces.

Cozzie is an avid hunter and owns property in South Carolina that he and his son Mark hunt on quite a bit.

Cozzie retired in 2003 with 35 years service. He retired from the new Marine 1 on Trout River Drive.


Cozzie has a new hobby since his retirement. He now owns a 1967 Chevy Nova Super Sport. Cozzie has worked hard and completely restored this car to original condition.

Cozzie was in business with Ronnie Deloach and owned D&R Rental Properties. He bought the business from Deloach in 1971 and renamed it R&R Properties and he and his son Mark run the business today. Cozzie owns numerous properties in the northside of Jacksonville.

Cozzie Roberts has always stepped forward in any way possible when there is a need for financial help. Cozzie contributes to all fire department functions.
 

	Dianne and Cozzie sitting in front of their new home.
	Dianne tending to her flowers in front of the house as Cozzie watches.
	Cozzie at his desk at R & R Properties
	Cozzie sitting in his 1967 Chevy Nova
	Cozzie is very proud to be the owner of this his dream car.