Paul Price, fire department leader in Camden, Audubon
In 1970, while a senior at Audubon (N.J.) High School, Paul F. Price Sr. became a member of the Defender Fire Company in Audubon.
In 1970, while a senior at Audubon (N.J.) High School, Paul F. Price Sr. became a member of the Defender Fire Company in Audubon.
After he had graduated and had become a customer service agent for an airline at Philadelphia International Airport, he was still ready in his off hours to respond to calls to Defender, a volunteer company, which closed in 1976.
"He just loved the camaraderie of the people in the station," said George Stone, who had known Mr. Price since he first joined Defender.
In 1976, Mr. Price made firefighting his full-time job when he joined the Camden City Fire Department.
On Thursday, Aug. 11, Mr. Price, 63, of Audubon, who retired in 2009 as Camden deputy fire chief, died of acute myocardial infarction at home.
"My father was always into public safety. He wanted to give back to his community," said his son, Paul F. Jr.
For the last five years, his son said, Mr. Price was director of the Office of Emergency Management for Audubon. Earlier, he held that office for Camden.
From 1996 to 2002, his son said, Mr. Price was deputy chief of the volunteer Audubon Fire Department.
The Tri-State Maritime Safety Association reported his death on its website, noting that he was deputy chief for its Delaware River and Bay Maritime Incident Response Team.
George Stone, Mr. Price's longtime friend, said that though he ended his formal education in high school, "he was always going to school."
Among other schooling, Mr. Price took fire science courses at Camden County College Fire Academy.
Stone, a retired firefighter at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, called Mr. Price "very kind, outgoing, a brother."
Mr. Price was a former president of the Camden County Firemen's Association and a past board member of the Camden County Hero Scholarship Fund, his son said.
Mr. Price was a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Audubon Radio Club, and the Cape May Seashore Line, a railroad excursion service between Richland and Tuckahoe.
Besides his son, Mr. Price is survived by his wife of 38 years, Patricia; mother, Ruth Stratton, daughter, Susannah P.; a brother; and a granddaughter.
Viewings were set from 5 to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, and 8 to 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, both at the Healey Funeral Home, 9 White Horse Pike, Haddon Heights, before a Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Wednesday at Transfiguration Church, 445 White Horse Pike, West Collingswood, with private interment.
Donations may be sent to www.camdencountyhero.com.
Condolences may be offered to the family at healeyfuneralhomes.com.
610-313-8134@WNaedele