Former Brookside Fire Chief, WWII Veteran Dies at 95

Rocco Cifrese gave of himself any time possible.

The lifelong Morris County resident, war veteran, fire chief, storyteller, and grandfather died recently at the age of 95, according to his obituary.

Cifrese was born in Morristown in 1920, and lived in Mendham Township for 53 years prior to moving into assisted living in 2012.

Cifrese was a member of the United States Army Air Corps from 1941 to 1945 and flew dangerous bombing missions during World War II. As a second lieutenant and ace pilot, Cifrese flew both B-17 and B-24 aircrafts. Cifrese was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his efforts, which included delivering some of the earliest shipments of Penicillin to troops overseas.

Cifrese added a second stint of military service as a member of the Air Force Reserves from 1951 to 1952.

After returning from the war, Cifrese worked for Alderney Dairy in Morris Plains before becoming Union carpenter.

Cifrese was a lifelong volunteer fireman and past chief of the Brookside Engine Company No. 1 as well as a former Mendham Township Fire Marshall. He also was a Communicant for many years with St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church in Mendham, and a member of the VFW Post 7858 of Bernardsville.

Cifrese is survived by his wife, Nicoletta, of 61 years; a son and daughter; and three grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 12 at St. Joseph Church in Mendham. Calling hours will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 11 at Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ.

Memorial donations may be made to Brookside Engine Co. No. 1, P.O. Box 196, Brookside, NJ 07926.

Pictured: Rocco Cifrese. Photo Courtesy Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home.