Ridgefield's Pink Rescue Vehicles Honor Locals

RIDGEFIELD, N.J. — The memory of a cancer victim and strength of a survivor will be honored in Ridgefield later this month.

Bergen County's Pink Heals Cancer Awareness organization is dedicating a pink Ford Expedition to honor Ryan Handschin, 24.
Photo Credit: *John LaFalce*

The fire engine on the right, now shiny pink, has been added to Pink Heals Bergen County's fleet in the Ridgefield Fire Department honoring the late Thomas LaValle.
Photo Credit: *John LaFalce*

Cecilia Levine

01/06/2017 9:30 a.m.

Pink Heals Cancer Awareness of Bergen County will be dedicating a rescue truck to the memory Thomas LaValle, formerly of Ridgefield, who died in 2013. His widow, Barbara Doidge Lavelle, has an 80-year family legacy with the department.

A Ford Expedition will honor Ryan Handschin, a 24-year-old with the department who battled testicular cancer.

Ridgefield firefighters in 2011 became the first in Bergen County to adopt the "Cares Enough To Wear Pink" movement, which raises funds for residents battling cancer, thanks to longtime firefighter John LaFalce.

The department made history again in 2012 when it added a 2006 pink Ford to its fleet, making the Ridgefield Fire Department the first company in Pink Heals organization to own a vehicle.

The dedication ceremony, also thanks to LaFalce's efforts, will be on Jan. 28 at the English Reformed Church in Ridgefield, conducted by Pastor Arlene Romaine.

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