HOWELL – The Adelphia Fire Company is mourning the loss of Commissioner and Ex-Chief George Patten, a pillar of the Howell Township Fire Service whose dedication spanned more than 70 years.
Patten joined the Adelphia Fire Company in August 1955, following in his father’s footsteps and beginning a lifetime of service to his community. Throughout his career, he rose through the ranks to serve as Chief of Department and later became the company’s Financial Secretary, a position he held for an extraordinary 41 years.
In 1974, Patten was first elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners for Fire District No. 2, where he spent the next five decades overseeing Howell’s fire protection and fiscal management with what colleagues described as integrity and precision.
Known for his reliability and calm leadership, Patten responded to countless emergencies — from structure fires to large-scale forest fires in Jackson and Lakewood — always putting the safety of others first.
His service extended beyond Howell. Patten was a veteran of the United States Air Force, serving a combined 21 years of active and reserve duty.
Fellow firefighters remembered him as a quiet professional whose sense of duty never wavered. “Commissioner Patten embodied what it means to serve,” the Adelphia Fire Company said in its announcement. “His leadership and integrity will never be forgotten.”
Patten’s legacy, rooted in service, honor, and commitment to community, leaves an enduring mark on the history of the Howell Township Fire Service.
