Mahwah Fireman, Upper Saddle River Dispatcher Passes Away

MAHWAH, NJ – A fundraiser is underway to support the family of a well-known volunteer firefighter, police dispatcher and youth sports coach who passed away over the weekend.

Robert J. Hyman, Jr. died Sunday at the age of 49, leaving behind a wife, and two sons, ages 10 and 16.

Visitation will be held Thursday from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Van Emburgh-Sneider-Pernice Funeral Home, 109 Darlington Avenue, Ramsey, NJ. A service will be held during the visitation at 3:30 p.m.

Julie Bohde, who organized a GoFundMe campaign to help the family, said, “Bob dedicated countless hours to the boys and girls of the program and will remembered for his kindness and ever-present smile on the field. We want to support the Hyman family, including Bob’s sons Spencer and Tanner, in their time of overwhelming loss.”

As of Tuesday morning, more than $9,000 has been raised.

In Mahwah, Hyman served as a volunteer coach for several youth sports, including football, and was a member of the fire department. In Upper Saddle River, Hyman worked as a dispatcher at the police department for more than 25 years and also volunteered for Upper Saddle River fire department.

On Monday, the police department announced his untimely passing, saying that Hyman “was a great friend with an infectious laugh that will be impossible to forget.”

“We will all miss him very much,” the department posted on its Facebook page.

Upper Saddle River firefighters also offered condolences, saying, "Rest In Peace brother, you will always be remembered."

Donations may be made in memory of Hyman to Mahwah Fire Co. #2, 60 Island Road, Mahwah, NJ, 07430 or Upper Saddle River Fire Department, 375 West Saddle River Road, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 07458.