1982
Charlie Firmbach and Al Phillips
Charlie was the Treasurer of this Society for at least 2O years. It was Charlie, nobody dared call him Charles. Charlie was a blunt and straight officer. He didn't mince words, "we had money or we were broke". However, when Charlie retired in 1973 and relocated in Florida, he left us financially sound.
Charlie died at the age of 73. Three years younger than Al Phillips, but like him died of a heart attack. All within one week of each other.
Charlie started out as an active young man of nine and went on the road with Lionel Barrymore, appearing with him in "Laugh Clown Laugh". He also sang in the chorus of the Metropolitan Opera). We can still remember that "basso profundo" of his when we would try to tap the Treasury and get the "yes or no", most often NO!
He was an active member of the Boy Scouts of America. In 1950 he was awarded the Silver Beaver Award For outstanding service to the Boy Scout movement. He was an active member of the National Council B.S.A. and was on the Board of Directors, Queens Council B.S.A.
After Charlie graduated From Penn State and N.Y.U., he was employed by the Interstate Commerce Commission for 17 years as Safety Inspector, Special Agent, Automotive Engineer and District Supervisor. He then organized his own business as a Consulting Engineer and retired after 13 years of service.
In his time, he was registered with the Board of Certified Safety Professionals of America. He was on the faculty of NY’s Center for Safety Education and a Qualified Safety Professional Engineer for all Courts, City, State and Federal as well as Safety Engineering Consultant to large truck lines, insurance companies, state police, county and city police safety councils.
When Charlie retired to Florida, Al Phillips, in the February 1973 Fleet Supervisor News, called him our illustrious member". Charlie made things happen when he was with us. We remember him well and thank him.
Al was active in other organizations as well as our own, particularly the Masons and headed the 7th District of that order. As a young man Al was interested in Journalism and had worked with the Rockaway News among others, and had attended Brooklyn Law School for a time. When Al's dad’s partner in the Jellinek Auto Radiator shop passed away, his dad asked him to carry on the business. Jellinek was also a sheet metal company and one of their features was making fenders for the old time Fire Engines. Jellinek was then located on West 54th Street, at which time Manhattan was a beehive of trucking and waterfront activity.
Al was Editor of the Fleet Supervisors News for some 20 years. He was also Bill Maher's prominent assistant at our Social Affairs, often acting as the M.C. They were a great team. When Al was there you had to open up with the Star Spangled Banner, Loud and Clear.
Al's son-in-law, Bill Misita, who carried on as head of Jellinek Auto Radiator after Al retired, speaks of the time he was courting Al's daughter Nancy, and how he got involved with stuffing, licking envelopes and stamps in order to get the Fleet Supervisors News out on time. Al retired, but not for long. He was approached by Bellmore Auto Radiator, in February 1980, to solicit new accounts on a part time basis.
Al succumbed to a heart attack, November 15, 1981 in his 76th year. He went quietly in his sleep, and as he said "the way I wont to go".
Charlie Firmbach and Al Phillips, we, the Society of Fleet Supervisors, Solute you and thank you for your outstanding achievements, both personal and for our Society. Men like you, are the cornerstone of any Society of Family. We wish that you both could be here to accept this award.
Meetings
Wednesday, Sept 15th 2010
Immaculate Conception Center
7200 Douglaston Parkway
Douglaston, NY 11362
For directions, click here.
Cocktail Hour at 6 PM - 7 PM
Dinner and Meeting at 7 PM
Members - $35 Guests - $45
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