Edward S. Hallahan

These type mentions about life-long Ridgewood residents who go on to work for the village and then retire always give me pause for thought on how much things have changed since I was a boy growing up. I've noted before about the intangible richness a town receives when multiple generations inhabit a village. It gives young and old alike an idea of how the other half lives and makes for an environment of understanding and compassion. When you are young and only see other young people on a daily basis you are missing the tell tale signs of one of Life's great lessons regarding aging. When you are young and see all ages of people everyday then you are more cognizant of what the future might bestow upon you and your family's lives.

Edward S. Hallahan, 85, died on Oct. 23.

He was a life-long resident of Ridgewood and graduated from Paterson State College. He joined the Ridgewood Fire Department in 1950, retiring in 1980. He was a naval veteran of World War II, a member of FMBA Local 47 and NJ State Local 500 and a member of Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, where he served many years as an usher.

He is survived by his wife, Dorothy (Stack) of Ridgewood; his children, Edward F. Hallahan and wife Debra of Leesburg, Va., Mary T. and husband Thomas Mayer of Romansville, Pa. and Nancy E. and husband John Kendzulak of Flemington; and his grandchildren, Caitlin, Michael, Tatiana and Alexandra.

A funeral Mass was celebrated on Oct. 26 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in Ridgewood.