Rockland’s emergency services are in mourning as World War II veteran and long-time Hillcrest Fire Department volunteer, Gordon Wren Sr., died Tuesday at the New York state Veterans Home in Montrose. He was 98. Wren had served with Hillcrest since January 1940, serving as chief and financial secretary. His brothers were volunteers with him, as were his three sons who went on to become chief in the same department, with Gordon Wren junior becoming the head of the Fire and Emergency Services Department, retiring just last year. He also saw his grandchildren follow in his footsteps to become volunteer firefighters as well. The Rockland County Chiefs Association gave him the Jerome Trachtenberg Service Award six years ago. The honor recognizes a person who promotes outstanding service to the Rockland County Fire Chief’s Association.
A wake will be held at the Hillcrest Fire Company on North Main Street in Spring Valley Thursday from 7-9 PM and Friday from 4-8 PM with Firematic services at 7 PM and the American Legion ceremony at 7:30 PM. The funeral will be Saturday at 11 AM at the Hillcrest Fire Company followed by a procession, and then internment at Brick Church Cemetery on Brick Church Road.