John Gerry
"He will be remembered...." click on image to read on
Date: 09/12/2007
GERRY, John J. 73 of Citrus Springs, Fl. passed away Monday, December 22, 2008. Originally from Rockaway Beach, NY, John retired in 1986 from the City of Miami Fire Department Station 5 after 25 years of Service. He enjoyed the next 23 years of retirement traveling with his loving wife of 50 years Marianne and was an avid golfer.
John has been a close friend since he eased out of station 12 and came to the the zoo at 5 "C" back in the mid 60's. Thank God we were and are in a profession that has so many memories. John will be mentioned in all the stories that will continue to come up at the reunions and firefighter get togethers for years to come. He will be missed greatly but not forgotten.
Dave LaCroix
John came to Sta.6-C out of the Fire College. A skinny young man from New York. He quickly endeared himself to his fellow firefighters. John was always quick to do anything asked of him in a cheerful way. Many worked with him at Burke Displays and later at other companies. Anyone lucky enough to have John as a friend had a real friend indeed. I never met a more generous person in my life. He would literaly give you the shirt off his back. John was the guy in the bar who, if six rounds were bought, he bought five.
Irene and I had the pleasure of spending some time with John and Marianne in the past few years and will treasure the memories. John will be missed.
Jim Nelson
John has been a close friend since he eased out of station 12 and came to the the zoo at 5 "C" back in the mid 60's. Thank God we were and are in a profession that has so many memories. John will be mentioned in all the stories that will continue to come up at the reunions and firefighter get togethers for years to come. He will be missed greatly but not forgotten.
Dave LaCroix
John came to Sta.6-C out of the Fire College. A skinny young man from New York. He quickly endeared himself to his fellow firefighters. John was always quick to do anything asked of him in a cheerful way. Many worked with him at Burke Displays and later at other companies. Anyone lucky enough to have John as a friend had a real friend indeed. I never met a more generous person in my life. He would literaly give you the shirt off his back. John was the guy in the bar who, if six rounds were bought, he bought five.
Irene and I had the pleasure of spending some time with John and Marianne in the past few years and will treasure the memories. John will be missed.
Jim Nelson
Charles Harris Matthews Sr.
In 1952 he joined the City of Miami Fire Department....click to read more
Date: 11/16/2008
..."there was not a finer man and gentleman than Charlie Matthews. He will be missed by all who knew him."
Bill Anderson (ret 1995)
Born Feb 9, 1932 to William Emmet and Christine Smith Matthews, he graduated from Miami High School in 1951, where he played on the 1950 State Championship Football team. In 1952 he joined the City of Miami Fire Department. Charlie was a member of the first group of paramedics in America. His unit pioneered pre- hospital mobile emergency care. When he retired in 1982, after 30 years of service, paramedics were a fixture nationwide. In 1964 Charlie founded Underwater Unlimited, the second dive shop in Miami. Begun as an educational training center with classes offered at Miami Dade College, it assisted police and fire departments in developing underwater recovery techniques. With over 20,000 students certified, Underwater Unlimited continues to serve as a leader in the dive industry today. Charlie was active in many community groups including the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club. He served on the Board of the Coral Gables Congregational Church where he is affectionately referred to as "the Sheriff" for his ability to keep meetings moving. His association with Miami High has continued with active involvement in the alumni association and a lifelong friendship with other members of the state championship team. An avid outdoorsman, Charlie loved to fish, dive, hunt and fly. He was deeply interested in history and dedicated to serving his country and community. Above all, he was dearly loved and committed to his family and friends. His strength, courage and honesty were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Bill Anderson (ret 1995)
Born Feb 9, 1932 to William Emmet and Christine Smith Matthews, he graduated from Miami High School in 1951, where he played on the 1950 State Championship Football team. In 1952 he joined the City of Miami Fire Department. Charlie was a member of the first group of paramedics in America. His unit pioneered pre- hospital mobile emergency care. When he retired in 1982, after 30 years of service, paramedics were a fixture nationwide. In 1964 Charlie founded Underwater Unlimited, the second dive shop in Miami. Begun as an educational training center with classes offered at Miami Dade College, it assisted police and fire departments in developing underwater recovery techniques. With over 20,000 students certified, Underwater Unlimited continues to serve as a leader in the dive industry today. Charlie was active in many community groups including the Coral Gables Kiwanis Club. He served on the Board of the Coral Gables Congregational Church where he is affectionately referred to as "the Sheriff" for his ability to keep meetings moving. His association with Miami High has continued with active involvement in the alumni association and a lifelong friendship with other members of the state championship team. An avid outdoorsman, Charlie loved to fish, dive, hunt and fly. He was deeply interested in history and dedicated to serving his country and community. Above all, he was dearly loved and committed to his family and friends. His strength, courage and honesty were an inspiration to all who knew him.
Chief John Collins Wilkes
District Chief and Fire Marshall. At his retirement, he had served on the Miami Fire Dept. longer than anyone else.
Date: 09/11/2008
Chief John Collins Wilkes
Capt. Richard Herbert Deke
Date: 12/31/2007
Richard Herbert Deke (Capt) 12/20/2007. This photo was taken when Richard worked for the department as the graphic artist after his retirement.
Capt. Perry Donaldson Wise
Date: 12/06/2007
I was excited to come across the MFD website while looking for some historical information on my old high school in Miami (Miami Senior High). I noticed that you had a memorial page and recognized two names: Jack Beach and Elmer Wentworth. I used to date Mr. Wentworth’s daughter back in High School, and my parents were very good friends with the Beach’s before my father passed away on Dec. 1954 at age 29. He was a Fire Captain (Perry Donaldson Wise) and according to the Miami News clipping, that I will send you when I unpack it, he was the youngest Lieutenant to be promoted to Captain in the history of the department. I had just turned five when he passed, so I don’t remember a lot about him. I have a few pictures of him that I am forwarding to you. My mom, who passed away in 1997, told me years ago that he took me just about everywhere he went. The family picture is at the old station on 27th Ave. between Flagler and 7th St.
My hope is to get Dad’s name on the Memorial section of you web site. Thanks for your consideration.
Kenneth Perry Wise
Knoxville, TN.
My hope is to get Dad’s name on the Memorial section of you web site. Thanks for your consideration.
Kenneth Perry Wise
Knoxville, TN.
