A Mentor To All: Remembering Vinnie Bollon

Vincent J. Bollon, 77, passed away on March 28 at his home in Fairfax County.

A Mount Vernon-area resident for more than 20 years, Bollon was a long-time IAFF officer, revered labor leader and respected New York City firefighter.  

He began his lifetime career as a firefighter with the FDNY in 1959 and served for 20 years with Ladder 31 in the South Bronx. When he joined the FDNY, he immediately became a member of Uniformed Firefighters Association of Greater New York Local 94. He served as president of Local 854 during the 1970s and 1980s. During that time, he was also the first vice chairman of the largest firefighter pension fund in the United States and Canada. In addition, Bollon chaired the annuity trust fund for Local 854 and is credited with increasing the fund by $30 million dollars by the time he left office in 1988.

"Vinnie Bollon was an honest, forward looking and inspiring leader," said Local 854 President Al Hagan in a . "Even after leaving the presidency of Local 854, Vinnie stayed in contact with our leadership to provide wise advice and counsel. Not only will the officers and members of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association miss Vinnie Bollon, the entire FDNY will miss him and keep him in our prayers."

Bollon started his tenure as IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer in 1988. Bollon’s accomplishments during his tenure as IAFF General Secretary-Treasurer impacted many practices within the union. He established many new programs to assist local union leaders with financial, membership, and accounting issues, as well as establishing new programs to offset membership dues, including an affinity credit card program. Bollon was instrumental in gaining union membership, not just in numbers, but in influence. 

"Vinnie Bollon dedicated his life to the fire service and the IAFF. He worked with distinction and then shared his experience and leadership with the International in the second phase of his career. Vinnie did so much for fire fighters and the IAFF throughout his long career. Everyone in the fire service is better off because of his achievements," said IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger in a statement.

Bollon served on the Fairfax County Uniformed Retirement Board for a decade and also served as its president. 

"He had passion, dedication, and commitment," said Fairfax County Local 2068 President John Niemiec. "He will be sorely missed." 

Bollon retired from the IAFF in January 2010.

A funeral Mass will be held on Monday at Saints Phillip and James Roman Catholic Church in St. James, New York. Internment will follow at St. Raymond’s Cemetery in the Bronx.

Bollon is survived by his wife, Linda; his children, Janice and her husband Ron Roveto, Kathleen and her husband Walter Scott, Suzanne Bollon, Chrysee Bollon; and six grandchildren.