HISTORY OF THE VOLUNTEER HOSE COMPANY

(reprinted from the 1978 Golden Anniversary Program)

The Volunteer Hose Company was organized in December 1928, Joseph Kozel, Joseph Schank, Michael M. Menichello, Ross Comrad, and Michael Augustinsky all met in Menichello's Electric Shop which was then located at 517 George Street. they circulated a petition for new members. This petition was presented to borough council who approved it and the new company was formed. The first elected Officers were as follows: President, Charles A. Krotzer; Vice President, Joseph Schank; Recording Secretary, Michael M. Menichello; Assistant Recording Secretary, Max Berger; Financial Secretary, Leo Bocinski; Treasurer, Frank Zella, Trustees; John B. Gretzula, Joseph Puchalski, Charles A. Krotzer, Chief, Joseph Kozel, First Assistant Chief, Charles A. Krotzer, Second Assistant Chief, Joseph Schank, Atty. Andrew J. Marko together with the following subscribers, Charles A. Krotzer, Frank Zella, Ross Comrad, Joseph M. Schank, Michael M. Menichello, Joseph A. Kozel, John B. Gretzula, and Joseph J. Puchalski, petitioned the Courts of Lackawanna County for a corporate charter. This petition was presented to the court and on April 30, 1931, Judge William R. Lewis decreed the following; "On motion of Andrew J. Marko, Esq., on behalf of the petitioners, order and decree the charter of the Volunteer Hose Company to be and the same is hereby approved and upon recording of the same and this order, the subscribers thereto and their associates shall be a corporation by the name of VOLUNTEER HOSE COMPANY OF THROOP, PENNSYLVANIA, for the purpose and terms therein set forth.

The first fire truck that was purchased was a "Peter Persh". The cost of the truck was $ 7,700.00. Since there was no money in the treasury, a drive was undertaken to solicit $ 5.00 from each member. A drive for funds was also conducted throughout the borough. The citizens responded very generously. Some even provided collateral for the first loan. The new fire truck was house din the old borough building that was located on the corner of Charles and Center Streets. The meeting room of the company was located in a room that was adjacent to the room where our fire truck was housed. Realizing that they had an outstanding debt to pay off, the membership conducted many fundraising affairs and they worked long and tiring hours to make each affair a financial success.

More to come.......

Membership circa 1978

Kneeling L-R: Ed Zemek, Butch Serkosky, Rich Butkewicz, John Chimock, George Barbolish, XX, Nancy Mikulski, Ron Crambo, Vince Cesari, Chief Edward Barbolish, Rich Barbolish, Asst. Chief Andrew Kerecman, Richard Konopka, Eugene Sholtes, Paul Crambo, Margaret Hettman, John Wargo, XX, John Streznewski, Eddie Mikulski, Joe Husosky, Mike Gretzula, Anthony Pisarcik, Joe Tropiak, XX, XX, Les Chapman, Edward Hettman, XX, Joseph Barnick, Joe Barnick Sr., Police Chief Joseph Tomchak, Randall Thorne