Respect for a Longtime Holmdel Fireman

When Hazlet Fire Company said goodbye to one of their own, Malcolm Peseux, 91, of Holmdel, they followed long-established protocol. 

On June 1, the day of the funeral at Holmdel Cemetery, purple and black mourning bunting hung from the firehouse's bays and a tribute was posted on the sign at 570 Holmdel Road. 

Despite the broiling temperatures hovering in the 90s, the men donned black uniforms, hats and white gloves for a final salute to a man who was once a chief, but more importantly, a loyal friend to the fire company for 73 years. 

On that morning at Holmdel Funeral Home the pallbearers loaded Peseux's casket onto the hosebed of the company's vintage 1928 fire truck -- one that Peseux actually drove to fires, back in the day when the town was called Raritan and the only Holmdel fire station was pretty far away in the Holmdel Village, on Main Street.

With Holmdel and Hazlet police officers clearing the way, the all-volunteer company took Peseux along Holmdel Road, past his home, up and over the ridge and down past the hospital, over the railroad tracks, to stop at the Hazlet Fire House. 

The noisy, rumbling truck rolled to a stop in front of the bays. Two dozen firemen, facing the trucks, lined up in rows behind a chair holding Peseux's boots, firecoat and gear. After a few moments, there was the female voice of the Hazlet police dispatcher broadcasting a solemn message: "This is a final call for Malcom Peseux." 

Members stood at attention for several minutes as the firehouse siren blew three long, loud times in deafening salute. 

Family members, including his beloved wife Marguerite, known to all as "Babe," stayed seated in air conditioned cars. After the brief ceremony, the procession fell back into line to Holmdel Cemetery, where Peseux was laid to rest. 

Later, they returned for a light post-funeral repast, prepared by members of the Ladies Auxiliary.