Obituary of Samuel Lindsay Wilson

Samuel Lindsay Wilson died Thursday, April 17, 2014, following a brief illness. He was 85. Born in Newark, NJ, on Dec. 15, 1928. He graduated from South Side High School. He was awarded a Masters' Degree in Fire Science from Lexington University in 2003. He did a 2 year stint in the Navy at the end of World War II, worked for Bell Telephone, Bell Laboratories and AT&T for 34 years. After retiring from AT&T he worked as a zoning officer for Dover, Hopatcong and Roxbury Township. In 2002 he embarked on his third career, as a certified EMT for Roxbury Fire Dept. ambulance squad. Sam is a Master Mason from Prospect Lodge #24 Chester, NJ and a member of The Tall Cedars of Lebanon of North America, Morris County #2, achieving Grand Tall Cedar several times. Sam joined the Roxbury Volunteer Fire Dept.in May 1960. He held the office of vice president, president, various line officer positions for 7 years including department Chief in 1975. He is a Trustee of Roxbury #1. Sam was on the Board of Directors when the Fire & Police Academy was built. He instructed first-aid and medical self help during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked as a township fire inspector for 20 years. He was the certified emergency management coordinator of Roxbury Township for over 20 years. He was a Roxbury and state certified Fire Marshall. He was so beloved by his fellow firemen that when, recently, he attempted to resign, they refused his resignation. Sam was recognized for his service to the community in 2003 from the Knights of Columbus, The Roxbury Exempt & Relief Firemen's Association for his service as President from 1988 through 2004, and in 2006 from Lincoln-Roosevelt Schools as a "Hometown Hero". Sam was also known as: Willie, Randolph, Buster, Lee, Chief and "Soda pop Sam" as well as the good old "Mr. Wilson". He was married to the late Alice Jane(nee Gunton)Wilson. He is survived by his daughters, Cindy(Cherie Ackerson),Susan(the late Greg) Gehring, Carol(Robert) Hauspurg, sons James and John-Paul. He is also survived by six grandchildren, Ed, (Heather) Covert and Marcia (Eric Johnson),Paul Hauspurg, Matthew(Amy), Paul(Carissa), Jeffrey (Karla)Gehring and the following great-grandchildren: Michelle, Jonathan, Alicia, Abby, Ella, Kate, Greg, Lily, and Meadow,and several nieces & nephews. While devoted to giving back to his community, Sam considered his greatest accomplishment to be his family. In lieu of flowers memorial donations in his memory may be made to Roxbury Chemical Engine Company #1, 122 Main Street, Succasunna, NJ 07876.