Moorestown Mourns Loss Of Longtime Fire Chief

MOORESTOWN, NJ — Moorestown and the surrounding communities are mourning the loss of a longtime fire chief who both loved the fire department and was loved by those whose lives he touched.

Anthony “Tony” Green passed away on March 22, at the age of 61. The lifelong Moorestown resident was a member of the Moorestown Hose Company No. 1 for more than 40 years, serving as First Lieutenant, Captain, Assistant Chief and eventually Chief. He was Fire District No. 1 Chief from 2009 through 2016. He remained active with the fire department beyond his retirement.

“I joined the department 28 years ago, and he was one of the first faces I saw,” Moorestown Fire District No. 1 Coordinator Chris Chesner said. “He loved the fire department, and gave 100 percent of his time to it. He was a great chief, and he was very well liked by his members and members of the surrounding departments. We’ll miss him.”

“He was a very outgoing person,” said Edgar Thomas, the district’s chaplain. “He was always happy, and he loved to eat.”

Thomas and Green became close friends over the years, as they lived around the corner from each other. The two would go for bike rides and eat at the Oriental Pearl on Main Street together. Thomas valued the time he served under Green, and the time he took getting to know his family over the years.

“Serving under him was a great experience,” Thomas said. “He allowed me to grow to what I am today without any restrictions.”

Friends said Green gave unselfishly of his time, talent and expertise, exercising his skills on many projects for the Hose Company No. 1 and the Moorestown Fire Department. When news of his death hit, there was an outpouring of support on social media.

"The officers and members of the CFD wish to extend our sincere condolences to the Moorestown Fire Department and the family of Chief Green," the Cinnaminson Fire Departmentwrote in a Facebook post. "Rest in peace, Chief."

"To the family of Chief Anthony Green and our brothers and sisters at the Moorestown Fire Department, we are so sorry for your loss," the Riverton Fire Department said in a Facebook post. "Tony was an amazing person and a great firefighter, he will truly be missed."

"The Lumberton Fire Department would like to express our condolences to the Moorestown Fire Department and the family of Past Chief Anthony Green on his passing," the Lumberton Fire Department wrote.

"The officers and members of the Union Fire Company offer our condolences to the Green family and the Moorestown Fire Department after learning of the passing of Past Chief Tony Green," the Medford-based Union Fire Company wrote on Facebook. "Chief Green was a great friend to many in the fire service and a great presence on a fire scene."

Green was born to the late Cephas and Barbara Green, according to the obituary provided by Lewis Funeral Home. He was a graduate of Moorestown High School, Class of 1977.

He was the father of Ryndi Green, and the brother of Keith Green. He is also survived by his nieces Jasmine Vaughan and Nia Green.

A viewing will take place on Sunday afternoon, 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lewis Funeral Home, 78 East Main Street in Moorestown. The funeral will take place on Monday, 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, 42 West Main Street in Moorestown.

Attendees for the mass will go directly to the church Monday morning, and the funeral will be available by livestream at http://www.olgcnj.org/live-stream.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, facemask, social distancing and occupancy rules will be in effect at both the mass and the viewing. Memorial contributions can be made to Moorestown Hose Co. # 1, 261 W. Main St. Moorestown, NJ 08057.

Condolences may be left at www.lewisfuneralhomemoorestown.com.