By Todd Hollritt Chief Arnold Lijoi of the West Paterson Fire Department.

By Todd Hollritt Here we see Chief Lijoi in the roll of incident command at a house fire in the borough, circa 1980s.

By Todd Hollritt After 14-years of service as Chief of the Department, Arnold recieved this Chiefs Trumpet from his fellow firefighters at Engine 2, Truck 2; it was presented at a dinner held in his honor.

By Todd Hollritt Arnold will forever be remembered for his unique Chief's Car that he used to respond to alarms during the late 70s and into the early 80s, "Car 1" the Pinto station wagon he owned!

WEST PATERSON - On Sunday, January 21, 2006, former Fire Chief Arnold Lijoi passed away at the age of 80.

At the age of 24, Arnold Lijoi joined the West Paterson Fire Department (Passsaic County) in 1950. He went on to serve on the borough’s all-volunteer department for 59 years.

Of those years as a firefighter, he will most be remembered for his dedicated service as Chief of the Department, which he attained in 1977; and he went on to lead the department until he stepped down in 1991, 14-years later, at the age of 65.

A long-time member of Engine Company 2 he would continue on in an active roll, holding the position of honorary-Assistant Chief. Arnold was a member of the North Jersey Fireman’s association, a founding member of the Passaic County Mutual Aid Association. He was also an active member of both the New Jersey Fireman’s Relief and Exempt Organization. He also was employed by West Paterson as supervisor of building and grounds with the Board of Education from 1956 to 1996.

Mr. Lijoi is survived by his wife Irene, three sons and six grandchildren. His son Jay said of his father, “He really loved the fire department and being there to help people.” Arnold was known to say, “For a small town it has a big heart”, but in reality it was a man, a fireman like Arnold, who made it such a place.

The firefighters of West Paterson will miss his charm and leadership; he will be remembered for his many years of commitment to the town and the men who served with him.

A full departmental ceremony will be held Wednesday, January 25, to say farewell to “The Chief” as he answers his final alarm for the borough. To many he represented everything in the "Fire Chief's Prayer".