Obituary of George Duncan Fosdick

George Duncan Fosdick – Obituary

June 11, 1941 – May 10, 2024

George D. Fosdick, 82, passed peacefully, surrounded by his family, after a courageous battle against cancer.  Loving husband to Susan Elizabeth (nee. Howard), dad to Karen Fosdick, Sally Coleman (Michael) and George Fosdick (Monica).  Grandpa to Jackie, Emily, and Henry Fosdick (children of George & Monica) and Mandy Maple Syrup, our family chocolate Labrador.  Brother to Patricia Denike and John Fosdick (Susan) and Uncle to Jennifer Oldam (David), John Fosdick (Sofia), Sarah Hollander, (Ron), Kate Vogelhuber (Thomas) and extended families. 

George was a lifelong resident of the Village of Ridgefield Park.  He met his wife Susan in 1967 on a blind date at a Fire Department dance.  They married in August 1968.  He spent his entire life in service to others.  George was a 60 year member of the Ridgefield Park Fire Department (Truck Co. No. 2) serving as Department Chief in 1983.  He was elected to the Village Board of Commissioners in 1984 serving for a total of 36 years (28 years as Mayor) and took on the additional role of Village historian. He was a member of Masonic Lodge No. 194 F&AM Ridgefield Park.  George was an Eagle Scout and worked summers at Camp No-Be-Bo-Sco in his youth.  He remained active in the Boy Scouts his entire life. 

While he served in many official roles, he was also an active participant in daily Village life.  He supported all of the local fraternal organizations, sports teams, and clubs and attended every event they hosted.  One of his favorite activities was simply walking through town and talking with local residents.

He was raised in the Reformed Church and served as an Elder for the First Reformed Church of Hackensack, the “Church on the Green” where his family supported a homeless mission called “The River” for many years. 

He was the proud owner of NJ Fire Equipment for 40 years, and he considered every employee part of our family.  Together they have built a remarkably successful business that will continue to thrive as a result of the incredible culture that he was instrumental in building.

In Lieu of flowers please make donations in George's memory to:

The Ridgefield Park Voluteer Fire Department

93 Hazelton Street Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660

St. Francis Food Pantry

114 Mt. Vernon Street Ridgefield Park, NJ 07660