Russell Tompkins, Former Pleasantville Fire Chief, Dies at 94
Russell Gilbert Tompkins of Pleasantville died on May 1 at the age of 94.
Tompkins was the son of Russell and Anna Kramer Tompkins and was born in the Bronx on Oct. 9, 1919. He graduated Pleasantville High School and the Stonier Graduate School of Banking at Rutgers University. During World War II, Tompkins served in the Army and received a battle field commission to warrant officer while serving in the invasion of North Africa.
After the war he married the late Alice E. Berrien at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pleasantville on Nov. 17, 1946. He is survived by his daughter, Sharon Lynn (Kenneth) Foley; his son, Bruce (Donna) Tompkins; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Tompkins was pre-deceased by his grandson, Kenneth Foley III.
Tompkins worked for the Bank of New York from which he retired as vice president in 1983. He joined the Pleasantville Fire Department in 1941 and served as captain of the Hook and Ladder Company, became chief of the department, then served for 34 years as a commissioner on the Board of Fire Commissioners. For many years he was the chairman of the board.
Tompkins also served for 14 years on the board of the Pleasantville Ambulance Corps as treasurer. He became a member of the Pleasantville Rotary Club and received its Paul Harris Award. He was also a charter member of the Thornwood Rotary Club.
As a member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church, he served as a vestryman. In recognition for his lifelong dedication to Pleasantville and service to the community, he was elected Pleasantville’s Citizen of the Year in 1990 and was honored once again in 1997 for his valuable contribution to the community during his lifetime.
Visitation was on May 5 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Beecher Flooks Funeral Home, Inc. in Pleasantville. A funeral service was held today (Tuesday), May 6 at 10 a.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church followed by burial at Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory to the Pleasantville Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 201, Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570 or the Pleasantville Fire Department, 75 Washington Ave., Pleasantville, N.Y. 10570 would be appreciated.
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