Former Hartsdale Fire Commissioner and firefighter Robert J. “Bob” Broderick, who served the Hartsdale Fire District for sixty-five years, passed away on June 6, 2015 at the age of 83.

Bob was born September 28, 1931 in Yonkers, NY to the late Matthew and Catherine Broderick. The family settled in Hartsdale, NY in 1942.

After he graduated from White Plains High School, in White Plains, NY, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. While waiting to be accepted, Bob worked as an electrical assistant in New York City. He served in the Air Force from 1951 to 1953 rising to the rank of Sergeant. Following his service in the military, he became a New York State Trooper, assigned to Troop K, for thirteen years, and rose to the rank of Sergeant there as well.

His true love was the fire service. Bob joined the Hartsdale Fire Department as a volunteer on December 1, 1949 and was appointed to the Hartsdale Fire District as a paid firefighter on March 16, 1966. He was promoted to Fire Captain on October 6, 1971 and also served as Deputy Chief for fourteen months. During this time, he also attended Mercy College, where he earned an Associate Degree in Fire Science and a Bachelor of Science Degree in the area of Fire Service and Criminal Justice. He retired on February 16, 1989.

Following his retirement, Bob’s commitment to the Hartsdale Fire District did not end. In 1991, he became a Fire Commissioner and was reelected every time his term came up. He also served as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners for several years. He retired as a Commissioner in 2014, ending sixty-five years of service to the District.

Beyond his dedicated service to Hartsdale, Bob served in several New York State and Westchester County fire organizations. He served as President of the Westchester County Association of Fire Districts from 1999-2000 and was Regional Director for the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York.

Bob was a longtime parishioner at Sacred Heart Church in Hartsdale, where he volunteered as a money counter.

He is survived by his brother, Ray, and sister-in-law, Fran Broderick of White Plains, and brother, Dick, and sister-in-law, Cathy Broderick of Indianapolis, IN. He is also survived by one niece, six nephews and several grand nieces and nephews. He is predeceased by a nephew, Donald Broderick.

A Mass of Christian Burial, with full Fire Departmental Honors, was scheduled for Sacred Heart Church on June 10, 2015 followed by Interment at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, NY. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Donald Broderick Memorial Scholarship, Manhattan College, 4513 Manhattan College Parkway, Bronx, NY 10471.