Past Department Chief Hobart "Hobie" Erickson Jr was laid to rest Saturday February 23rd, 2008. Chief Erickson started his fire service career with the Denville Fire Department June 9, 1970. For the past 38 years Chief Erickson was a very active member holding the following positions: Dive Lieutenant, Dive Captain, Fire Lieutenant, Fire Captain, 3rd Assistant Chief, 2nd Assistant Chief, 1st Assistant Chief, Assistant Chief, Deputy Chief, and Department Chief in 1991. Chief Erickson also served as Senior Assistant Chief of the Greystone Park Fire Department and served 40 years in the New Jersey Forest Fire Service with 25 years as the District Warden in Section A.
Over 150 firefighters and 20 plus apparatus showed up to pay respects on this cold snowy morning, lining both sides of the road at the funeral home.
Chief Erickson rode his final call on the Department's 1928 American LaFrance antique to a local cemetery.