Former Moorestown Fire Chief, Cop Dave Constantine Mourned

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown is mourning the loss of former fire chief and police officer William David Constantine, Jr., who died on Saturday at the age of 58 after a long and courageous battle of cancer.

“The Moorestown Police Department extends our condolences to the Constantine family and Moorestown Fire Department on Past Chief Dave Constantine's passing,” the police department said in a statement on social media. “Dave was a Moorestown Police Officer for many years before changing hats to become Fire Chief. He remained a valued friend and supporter of the PD.”

Constantine, born on Feb. 2, 1963 in Mount Holly, was a lifelong Moorestown resident and police officer for 17 years, according to his obituary. He was a police officer for 17 years, but his passion for firefighting never burned out.

He was a second-generation firefighter for the Moorestown Fire Department for 40 years, and he served as Chief of the Department from 2003 to 2009. Constantine was a life member of Relief Engine Co., the New Jersey Fireman's Relief Association and the Moorestown Relief Association.

He also served the Mount Laurel, Plumsted, Westampton, and Cherry Hill fire departments. He was also passionate about educating future firefighters, working as a training officer for the Mount Laurel Fire Department and as a Senior Instructor at the Burlington County Emergency Services Training Center.

Constantine was a family man and true gentleman. His love of Wawa coffee was only surpassed by his love for his family and friends. He was well-known and widely-loved.

“He was a tremendous public servant in Moorestown,” Mayor Nicole Gillespie said during Monday night’s council meeting. “Our condolences are with his family. His legacy to Moorestown will be long remembered. It’s a sad day and quite a loss for our community.”

Constantine was a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan, lover of stout beer, and woodworking hobbyist. Constantine was also an amateur meteorologist who enjoyed tracking and forecasting the weather. On the weekends, he enjoyed countless trips to Maine with his wife, Patty.

He is survived by his wife and longtime friend, Patricia D. Constantine (Roswell); sons William D. Constantine III and Thomas E. Constantine; daughter Jessica L. Constantine; step-son Thomas J. Fewer; and step-daughter Danielle D. Fewer.

Constantine is also survived by his parents Bernadette and William D. Constantine Sr.; sisters Susan (Lisa) Constantine and Karen (Scott) Sommese.; niece and nephew Juliana Sommese and Dominic Sommese; brother-in-law of William (Kathy) Roswell, Richard T. Roswell, Laura (Larry) Colangelo, Mary (David) Herron, Teresa (David) Schmidt, Nancy J. Roswell, and Maureen (Ken) Schmidt. He was predeceased by Randy Roswell, Ted Roswell, and Debbie Roswell.

Funeral services will be Thursday, 10: 30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 42 W. Main St., Moorestown, NJ. 08057. Visitation will be Wednesday evening, 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Moorestown Hose Company # 1, 261 W. Main St. Moorestown, NJ.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in his honor can be made to the Chief William D. Constantine Jr. Memorial scholarship Fund c/o Burlington Co. Training Officers Assoc., 53 Academy Drive, P.O. Box 6000 Westampton, NJ 08060

Condolences may be left at www.Lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.