Bryan Thomas Sammartino

Bryan T. Sammartino, 81, of Ridgefield, NJ, passed away peacefully on November 11. He is survived by his sister, Claudia Sammartino of Ridgefield and several cousins.
A life-long resident of Ridgefield, Bryan dedicated his life to volunteer community service. Following in the footsteps of his grandfather, father, and uncle, he joined the Ridgefield Fire Department in 1960 and served actively for 52 years, including three terms as Fire Chief (1974-1977, 1983-1989, 1992-1995) as well as Battalion Chief and Deputy Chief. He served as Chair of the Ridgefield Fire Department Training Committee, and was also Fire Official, Borough of Ridgefield (2003-2006).
He was a member of the National Fire Protection Agency, the International Society of Fire Service Instructors and the International, the New Jersey, and the Bergen County Fire Chiefs Associations.
He was a Ridgefield Borough Councilman, serving in 1977-1978 and 1989-1991.
A part-time instructor at the Bergen County EMS Center (1988-2020), he was a New Jersey State Police Certified Instructor for several Hazardous Materials courses. He also started the Bergen County Haz-Mat Association as well as the Ridgefield Haz-Mat team, and was Chairman for East Bergen Firefighters Mutual Aid Association Foam and Haz-Mat Committee.
Always focused on fire safety, he was a Professional Member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, and was a NJ Division of Fire Safety Licensed Fire Official, Level !! Instructor and Drill Ground Instructor.
He also was a member of the Bergen County Fire Academy and Training Advisory Board.
He served in the US Air Force Reserve (1966-1972) at McGuire Air Force Base as a Staff Sergeant, Aerospace Ground Equipment Technician.
A graduate of Rochester Institute of Technology with a degree in Photographic Science, he worked professionally for Ilford Photo, Paramus, NJ as a Photographic Engineer for 30 years, and previously for Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS), Manchester Color Labs, Movielab, TVC Laboratories, and Precision Film Laboratories.
His passions also included trains, deep-sea fishing, boating on the Hudson, camping, and John Wayne movies.
Genuine and rock solid in spirit and character, deeply devoted and generous to community and various causes, he was always dependable, and humble to a fault. The strong, silent type, his easy grin revealed the warmth and fun-loving nature within.
He was beloved by all who knew him and will leave wonderful memories to cherish.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey or St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital.

Friends and family may come join us to celebrate his life on Tuesday, November 14, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm, 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm; and Wednesday, November 15, 10:00 am at Blackley Funeral Home, 809 Broad Avenue, Ridgefield, NJ 07657

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