HILLSDALE, N.J.—The Hillsdale Volunteer Fire Department held a luncheon Nov. 3 to celebrate Frank Gluckler’s 60 years, and Butch Franklin’s and George Wodowski’s 50 years, of outstanding service to the borough.
In his remarks, Mayor John Ruocco noted the men have a combined 160 years devoted to keeping Hillsdale safe.
“Every resident should appreciate the tenacity and steadfastness of these gentlemen and their families as they volunteered their time and talents to the borough. Thank you, gentlemen,” Ruocco said in part.
Also lending their congratulations were Assembly members Robert Auth and Holly Schepisi.
According to officials:
Frank Gluckler
Gluckler, born in 1925, joined the Hose Company on Oct. 27, 1959. He served as secretary in 1962, 1963, and 1991–1993. He was driver 1964–1981, became third lieutenant in 1966, and rose to chief in 1973.
He was board clerk or assistant clerk for 33 years, New Jersey & New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association president 1980 and 1981, and association secretary 1991–1999.
Gluckler was drill master 1962–1997, winning six best overall trophies in the association’s parade.
He was exempt president 1976 and 1977, exempt secretary from 1998 on, and Relief Association president 1986–2005.
Fireman of the Year in 1989, he was president of the Pascack Valley Firemen’s Association in 1984 and a trustee for the same since 2009. He was secretary of the Pascack Valley Firemen’s Association 1992,1993, and 1999.
Gluckler established the Rudy Appeld Award of the New Jersey & New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association in 1985 and was that honor’s recipient in 2010.
He narrated the Wildwood Convention Parade for 18 years until they stopped broadcasting it. He hosted the television talk show “Firemen Speak” during convention weekend for 16 years.
Gluckler was secretary of the Bergen & Passaic Exempt Firemen’s League since 2004 and edits and produces the “Bucket Brigade Journal” for the organization.
He’s served the New Jersey State Exempt Firemen’s Association as a Bergen County executive or alternate since 2004.
George Wodowski
Wodowski was born April 26, 1948. He joined the HFD as an associate member of the Ladder Company on Sept 9, 1969 and became a regular member of the Ladder Company on Oct. 26, 1976.
He became exempt on Oct. 26, 1983. He maintained the required percentage for the entire 50 years.
Wodowski served as the mechanic of the emergency truck in 1971 and 1972, was mechanic of the aerial ladder truck in 1973 and 1974, was driver 1971–1980, and was air bank mechanic in 1975 and 1983–1984.
Wodowski started his climb up the chain of command as third lieutenant in 1977, rising to chief in 1982.
He made his mark as well as instructor for the cadets in 1988. He was association president for a year, president of the Pascack Valley Firemen’s Association in 1990, and is president of the Relief Association.
Wodowski was Fireman of the Year in 1993.
William ‘Butch’ Franklin
Franklin, born Dec. 8, 1943, joined the Hose Company as an associate member on Oct. 14, 1969. He became a regular member of the Hose Company on May 26, 1970. He received exempt status May 26, 1977.
His average attendance at call over 50 years is well above 80%.
Franklin served as mechanic and driver. He was elected to third lieutenant in 1973 and served as chief in 1978 and 1979.
Franklin was a training officer 1980–81 and 1985–1988.
He started up through the ranks again in 1988 as a second lieutenant and rose to assistant chief in 1996 and 1997 before declining the chief’s role in 1998.
Franklin was chairman of the carnival in 1995 and has been doing it ever since.
He is the head of the Hillsdale OEM and has been awarded Fireman of the Year three times—1983, 1995, 2008—more than any other member.
