January 2012

The new year is well on it’s way. The kind of weather we are having is why people move to Florida.

MEMBER REPORT:

Bill and Faye Granger celebrated 50 years of marriage on Dec. 30, 2011. There was a family dinner at River Road Baptist Church. Bill retired from Sta. 32. Bill’s son, Bill, Jr. is on Ladder 1 and also owns his own garage door business.

The following retirees have been reported sick since our last newsletter: John Bailey, Ken Van Asten, Glen Domen, Irving Pfister, Billy Sands, Clint Norman, Larry Beck, Claude Howle, Bob Masculine, Joe Gardner and Dale Walters.

Jr. Kines passed away on Jan. 11, 2012. Jr. was a Red Cross Life Saving Corpsman and his service was held at the Red Cross Life Guard Station at Jacksonville Beach. Jr. was on the job for
8 1/2 years, left and went into the tire business.

Joe Spears passed away on Jan. 21, 2012. Joe retired as an Engineer on Engine 14. There was a private family service held.


Carol Read, wife of retiree, Tom Read (retired from Sta. 44) passed away on February 2, 2012. There will be a service held on Sat. Feb. 11, 2012 at WestGate Church located at 570 Ellis Road South, 32254. The service will begin at 10:00 and will be officiated by Retired Fire Chaplain Wayne Young. After the service there will a motorcycle ride to honor Carol.

Please keep all of brothers in your thoughts and prayers.

EVENTS AND HAPPENINGS:

Retirees Breakfast on Thursday, February 9, 2012, at the Piccadilly.

Red Knights monthly meeting at Denny’s (Blanding and I 295), 7:30 on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012.

Local 122 monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 16, 2012. Dinner at 6:00 and business meeting at 7:00.

There will be a retirement dinner for Robert Tarkington on Saturday, February 18, 2012 at
Firefighters Hall. Social will begin at 6:30, dinner at 7:00. Please RSVP at 904-1675 with the number that will be attending.

On March 13, 2012, The Men from Ten Annual Luncheon will be held at Station 10. Lunch will be served at noon. Come early and socialize.

The 30th Annual Firefighter’s Fishing Tournament will be held from March 12 thru the 15 in
Suwannee Florida. Good fellowship and good food for 4 days for only a $60.00 registration fee.
Mail fee to John Wood, 4312 Peppergrass Street, Middleburg, Florida 32068. You can call John at 282-6391.

The 8th Annual Firefighter’s Widow’s Luncheon will be held on Friday, April 27th. Luncheon will be served at noon. Retiree’s are encouraged to attend. These widow’s really have a good time.

The results of the Jacksonville Firemen’s Credit Union Board of Director’s election:

Group V—Hastings Williams
Group IV—John Keane

President Wayne Doolittle would like to take this time to thank John Wood for the 2011 Financial
Report that was handed out at the January breakfast. John works hard to maintain a balanced ledger. Wayne would also like to thank Linda Treadwell for the time that she puts forth each month on the newsletter and member profile.

POINT OF INTEREST:

Captain Jeff Basford of Station 30 retired this month. It was stated and noted at his retirement party on January 14, that Jeff’s dad, Bill Basford, was once the President of the City Council and then went on to the State Legislation. Bill Basford is the Legislator that introduced the Heart and Lung Bill for firefighter’s for the State of Florida to the Florida Legislation.
 


 

JANUARY 2012 MEMBER PROFILE:

Retired Battalion Chief
Emory "E-MO" Holsenbeck 

 

Emory Holsenbeck, born November 11, 1939 at home, 26th Street in Grand Park.

Emory was raised on a farm that grew vegetables to sell to the market.

Emory graduated from Paxon High School in 1957. Shortly after he graduated he went to college and got his Fire Science degree.

Emory met Sandra Hood, who graduated from Andrew Jackson, they married in 1960. The
Holsenbeck’s have three son’s, Darrell, Scott and Jason.

Emory retired in 2004 as a Battalion Chief with 38 1/2 years. He retired from Station 10.

Emory is most proud of his 3 sons that all work for the City of Jacksonville serving their
community. Jason, Engineer at Eng. 2B with 17 years, Scott works for JEA and Darrell, Battlation Chief at Station One with 24 years on the job.

Emory stated the reason for his wanting to become a fireman and he stated that he worked at
Capital Paint at 8th and Main. There were several firemen that worked there as an off duty job. They convinced him to become a firefighter. Emory remembers several of these men: District Chief Earl Matthews, Captain Ressie Taylor, Captain Red Strickland, Captain Alton Carver,
Carlton Mercer and Smiley Burnett.

Emory joined the fire department in June of 1965 and was assigned to Engine 3 with Captain Cecil Harbison for three years.

Emory’s second assignement was Rescue 9 at Station 9 for three years.

Emory got out of Rescue and went to Eng. 2. When Emory made engineer at Station 9 he was
assigned to the Engine with Captain Walter butler.

Emory made Lieutenant with 7 years on the job and was assigned to the Training School on
Stockton Street. After spending a year at the training school he was assigned to Sta. 11 with
Captain Cecil Harbison.

After consolidation in 1968 Emory was the first Officer to be assigned at what was an all volunteer station. He went to Station 24.

After making the rank of District Chief he was assigned to Station 18. He spent 10 years there and the officers at the time were: Lt. B.J. Pickett and Captain Fred Ferguson.

Emory was Battalion Chief at Station 10 B for 12 years and retired from that position.
 


Emory states that he could not name the number of “good” friends he made while on the
department. He says there are too many to name.

Emory says the most memorable fire to him was the Triangle Tank Fire next to Station 11. Emory and Jessie Clements were the first two members of the department to ever receive the Gold Life Saving Award. Emory was a Lieutenant at Station 11 .
 



Left to right:

Retired Battalion Chief Emory Holsenbeck

Engineer Jason Holsenbeck

Battalion Chief Darrell Holsenbeck

 

   
Through researching family history Emory has discovered a
community between Atlanta and Athens, Ga. in Barrow County
named after the Holsenbecks.
 

Emory and his wife Sandra standing by the school plaque

The Holsenbeck Elementary School is named for
William Holsenbeck. William served as the
Superintendent for many years.
 

   
The Holsenbeck Fire Department was built in or around 1991.
 
   
This is a collection of patches from the
Holsenbeck Fire Department in Barrow
County Georgia.
 
   
Emory is proud to point out the plaque
That hangs on the station named for a relative.
 
   
This is Station 6 in Barrow County. Named for an ancestor.