Obituary of Bruce Scott

SCOTT, Bruce E. age 95 of Wyckoff, died peacefully on Sunday, April 28, 2013. Bruce was a lifelong resident of Wyckoff. He was a 1948 graduate of New York University. In 1981 he retired from a 42 year career with Curtiss-Wright in Woodridge. Bruce's full time employment initially as a laboratory technician and eventually as a manager of chemical engineering research and development at Curtiss-Wright did not stop him from continuing his passion for firefighting. He was a 75 year member of the Wyckoff Volunteer Fire Dept., Protection Fire Company # 1. As a third generation volunteer firefighter, both his grandfathers and father served as volunteer firefighters, followed by his own son as a volunteer firefighter. Bruce served in various other capacities, including Asst. Chief of the Wyckoff Fire Dept., Deputy Chief of Protection Fire Co. #1, Secretary of Co. 1, Secretary/Treasurer of the Department, Vice President and President of Co. 1, Trustee of Co. 1, Vice President and President of the Wyckoff Firemen's Relief Association, and as a member of the Exempt Association. Bruce was appointed Chief Emeritus of the Wyckoff Fire Dept. in 1986. He donated his time and services to various County and Statewide Fire Associations including the Northwest Bergen Mutual Aid Association as a Charter Member as well as Secretary and President. In 1994, he was named Honorary Chief of the Association. He has been a member of the NJ and NY VFA Association and since 1960 he has been a member of the NJ State Firemen's Association and then Chairman of the Finance Committee from 1988 to 1997. He was instrumental in the transition of the Wyckoff Fire desk from just a radio to a computerized facility capable of pinpointing structures and advising personnel with regard to hydrant locations and other pertinent facts. He was appointed as an alternate member on the NJ Fire Safety Study Commission and then appointed as a full Commissioner representing the NJ State Fire Chiefs Association until 1994. He was also appointed Deputy State Fire Coordinator in Emergency Management where he served from 1975 to 1990 with responsibility for the northern section of the State. In 1950 the NJ and NY VFA established a fire school that soon needed instructors to meet the demand for trained personnel. Based on his own background, knowledge and training he was quickly recommended to become an instructor in training firefighters in piston pumps. His interest and knowledge soon led to his providing instruction in intermediate and advanced operations. He then saw the need for officer training and developed an officer training course as well as hands on training that became a standard. As an instructor in the school from 1950 to 1965 he trained hundreds of firefighters. Because of his knowledge and ability, he was the Wyckoff Fire Department training officer until 1994 and became a staple for training Wyckoff Fire Department volunteers on a regular basis. Surviving Bruce are his sons Edward B. and James W. both of Wyckoff, his grandsons, Christopher James Kellam Scott and Michael Charles Kellam Scott and his great granddaughter Dorothy Angelica Scott. Bruce was pre-deceased by his wife Dorothy (nee Sloan) in 2003. Funeral services will be held Thursday, May 2, 2013 at 10:30 AM from the Vander Plaat Funeral Home (www.vpfh.com), 257 Godwin Avenue, Wyckoff, NJ. Interment will follow in the Wyckoff Reformed Church Cemetery. Visiting is Wednesday, May 1, 2013, 2:00 to 4:00 and 7:00 to 9:00 PM. A Fireman's service will be held on Wednesday evening at 7:30 PM. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Protection Fire Company #1, Membership Fund, P. O. Box 232, Wyckoff, NJ 07481. WE SALUTE HIS EXEMPLARY SERVICE.