Goshen fire chief names parade marshals Boxman, Jones, Brinkley

Division marshals also named Goshen — The volunteer firefighters chosen to serve in positions of honor for the upcoming fire parade and related events next month have been announced by Chief Sean P. Thornton of the Goshen Fire Department. Thornton said these positions were assigned as a mark of respect and appreciation to members who had served the department well over the years. He said he hoped they were as honored to serve as he was honored to name them. Grand marshal for the June 10 fire parade will be Thomas J. Boxman, who served as chief of the department from 2002 to 2004. A 25-year resident of Goshen, he joined the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3 in 1987, and has served in various company and Extrication Team offices from 1987 to 1998. He was company captain from 1993 to 1998, second assistant chief of the department in 1999 and 2000, and first assistant chief in 2001, in addition to his service as chief of department. Boxman has two sons, Sean — also a member of the Dikemans and currently serving as department extrication officer, and Kyle, a future firefighter. He said it is a “huge honor” to be chosen grand marshal of the parade, sponsored by “the best fire department in Orange County.” Robert V. Jones had been appointed grand marshal of the evening float parade, which Thornton said has become an integral part of the festivities. The float parade will be held on the same day as the fire parade, in the evening. Jones has lived in Goshen for over 50 years, and has been a member of the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3 for 47 of them. He has also served in many of the company’s firematic offices. He was elected second assistant chief in 1972, first assistant chief in 1975, and chief of department in April 1978. Jones served as chief until April 1981. He and his wife, Mary Ann, live on South Street and have five children: Barbara, Carol Ann, Robert Jr., Tom, and John. Jones’s 47 years of service are worth of emulation, Thornton said; he still answers calls and is very active in the parade planning and execution. Thornton named Scott Brinkley grand marshal of the hose contests, to be held on June 4. The chief said this event is always a crowd pleaser — fun for spectators and contestants alike. Brinkley served as chief of department after serving in several offices in his home company, the Cataract Engine and Hose Co. No. 1, and as assistant chief of the department. He lives with his wife, Danielle, and three sons, Michael and twins Christopher and Matthew, on Oxford Road in the village. Companies name division marshals Traditionally, the Goshen parade consists of three divisions, each led by one of the Goshen companies. This year’s event continues the tradition with the Minisink Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 leading off. The Minisinks were given this position of honor because they were organized in 1906 and are celebrating their 100th anniversary this year, Thornton noted. He explained that, although the chief names the grand marshals, each company is asked to name the person or persons it wishes to honor with the positions of division marshals. The Minisinks have chosen Past-Chief Steve O’Sullivan to lead the first division. A Goshen resident for 24 years, O’Sullivan lives with his wife, Lori, on Fletcher Street. They have a son, Jim, also a member of the Minisinks, and a daughter, Karen, married to Stan Memmelaar. O’Sullivan served as a firematic officer in the Minisinks for ten years before being elected to the position of second assistant chief of the department in 1992 and first assistant chief in 1996. He was chief of the department in 1998, serving in that position for three years. Still active in the department, O’Sullivan still pitches in to serves wherever he is needed. The Cataract Engine and Hose Co. No. 1 is honoring two of its past-presidents as marshals of the second division. A veteran officer of the Rockville Centre Fire Department, David Sincerbox has served in several offices in the Cataracts, where he has been member since 1987. He was president from 2000 to 2002. He and his wife of 24 years, Jean, have three children — Kenneth and Kevin, both also Cataract members, and Katherine. Sincerbox has also served as a member of the Firehouse Committee. He thanks his wife and children for their understanding and support during his many years of service. Serving with Sincerbox as second division marshal is former president Fred Nowak of the Cataracts. Nowak has served in most of the social offices of the Cataracts since joining the company in 1989, with three years as the company’s president. A 30-year resident of Goshen, he lives on North Church Street with his wife, Sharon, and stepson, Ryan Osborne, a member of the Minisinks. His daughter Karen and her husband, Drew Brock, have two children, Jacob and Austin. His daughter Linda and her husband, Chris Neidig, have one child, Andrew. Nowak said he is looking forward to having his grandchildren see him lead the Cataracts. Chosen by the Dikeman Engine and Hose Co. No. 3 to lead the third division is Past-President Jeff Hunt and Past-Captain Mark Knight. Hunt, a 27-year resident of Goshen, has been a member of the Dikemans since 1974 and has served as both vice-president and president of his company. He is the department’s safety officer and a member of the Orange County Fire Advisory Board. One of the department’s “go-to guys,” Hunt is always willing to pitch in and help, no matter what the job is, Chief Thornton said. Past-Captain Knight lives in Manchester, New Hampshire, where he moved in 2002 after living in Goshen for 24 years. He joined the Dikemans in 1987 and served as a firematic officer in his company from 1995 to 2001, rising to the position of captain in 1999 and serving in that office until 2001. He and his wife, Melissa, have two sons, Connor and Drew, and are looking forward to returning to Goshen for the festivities. Chief asks for public participation In asking for community support, Chief Thornton noted that Goshen’s firefighters have been working nearly a year on the parade and related activities. He said he joins the rest of his department in urging the citizens of Goshen and the surrounding area to turn out and support them at the contest and the two parades, as a way to recognize and thank these firefighting volunteers for their years of dedication and service.