One of Sloatsburg’s most senior residents passed away last Friday at the age of 98 years, surrounded by family.

Three generations of firefighters: Gus Stritmater, Sr., seated, with his son Gus Jr (r) and grandson Matthew (l) in 2014 at the Sloatsburg Fire Department’s annual group photo. Gus Sr. started the tradition of firefighting Stritmaters in 1946 which continues today.

August “Gus” Stritmater, Sr. joined the Sloatsburg Fire Department in 1946, after a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during WWII. As a 69 Year Life Member, Stritmater Sr. was the most senior member of the SFD and was father to a whole generation of local firefighters, including Life Member August Stritmater, Jr., Ex-Chief Robert Stritmater and grandfather of 2nd Assistant Chief Matthew Stritmater. He is survived by his wife of 73 years, Mary Stritmater.

He also served on the Village Zoning Board of Appeals for 5 decades with over 40 years as chairman.

Services for Gus Stritmater, Sr. will be held on Thursday, January 29from , 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Scarr Funeral Home in Suffern. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 30, at St. Joan of Arc Church in Sloatsburg.

Born in Yonkers, NY, Stritmater attended Haverstraw High School where he was a member of their 1934 State Champion Football Team. Gus served in WWII as a Technical Sergeant with the 75th Fighter Squadron (Flying Tigers) in the CBI Theate and was one of eight remaining Sloatburgers of the greatest generation to serve in World War II.

Read Gus Stritmater, Sr.’s Scarr’s obituary here.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that a donation be made in Gus’s name, to The United Hospice of Rockland, 11 Stokum Lane, New City, NY 10956.

Thanks to Matthew Stritmater and the Sloatsburg Fire Department for the use of the family photo and additional information.