Zone 17
No. 14 Vol. 9
New View Media Group • 1-800-691-7549
May 8, 2018
Towaco Fireman Honored By NJ Firemen’s Home
A
By Jason Cohen fireman for four decades, Joe Gretowski always puts others first. Recently, Gretowski was recognized by the New Jersey Firemen’s Home in Boonton for his dedication to its residents. The N.J. Firemen’s Home was founded in 1898 and is the only licensed healthcare facility in N.J. whose primary mission is dedicated to the men and women of
the N.J. fire service. It provides both long term care and residential health care services. Gretowski said being honored by the organization was nice, but caught him off guard. “I did it (volunteering) because it’s from the heart,” Gretwoski said. “That’s what most of the volunteer fire people do.” Gretowski, 72, began frequenting the home a couple years ago and
quickly became a regular visitor. He stops by every Tuesday and spends the day with the firemen. Whether it’s putting a smile on their face, talking sports, about being a firefighter or life, he truly enjoys being there for them. “A lot of these guys may not have anyone to talk to,” he said. “Most of them look forward to me being there.” Gretowski also donates to the Montville Animal Shelter and is in charge for Toys for Tots for the department. Gretwoski grew up in a cold water flat in Jersey City, where there was no running water B A Y A L A G E & L I V E D I N and many families C O L O R S P E C I A L I S T shared a bathroom. He spent 34 years at the United Parcel Service, which he retired from in 2002 and afterwards worked on with any highlight service a golf course until (new clients only, exp. 6.30.18) 2015. But, his true 208 Myrtle Ave • Boonton passion is being a 973.588.7111 volunteer fireman. www.TeaseSalonNj.com His uncle Charles Follow us on Facebook @TeaseSalonNj Gretowski was a Instagram @TeaseSalonNj fireman in Jersey
FREE
HAIRCUT!
Joe Gretowski and Frank Mozes from the Allamuchy F.D.
City, but it was his wife Joan’s father, Frank Sutter, who was a fireman in Arlington that really influenced him to become one. “You just don’t pick something like this,” he said. “The reason you do it is because somebody’s life depends on it. If you got
into an accident all you wanted to know was if someone was going to get you out of it.” Gretwoski has always served his community at home and abroad. From 1966 to 1968 he was in the Army overseas in Korea. A decade after retiring home he
became a volunteer firefighter and never looked back. While a lot has changed in the past 40 years, his love for being a fireman has never faded. “You don’t have the volunteers you had in the past,” Gretowski said. “Too many people cont. on page 2