'Quiet Giant': Borough Mourns Death Of Beloved Bergen County Firefighter, 61

He was a cornerstone of the Saddle River Fire Department, a "quiet giant" who, despite battling cancer, was still active and "always willing to help out," the borough's bravest said.

Mark Murray
Photo Credit: *SADDLE RIVER FD*

Jerry DeMarco

03/17/2021 1:57 p.m.

They and others were in mourning after Mark Murray, 61, succumbed to the illness Tuesday night.

“He was one of our beloved firemen and a lifelong resident,” Mayor Albert Kurpis and members of the Borough Council said in a brief statement. “[This is] a huge loss for our fire department and the borough.”

Murray, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, was vice president of the Saddle River Fire Association. e was also a member of the Knights of Columbus St. Gabriel Council “one of the quiet giants of our time,” wrote Mike Toomey.

“Mark was a cornerstone of the FD. Always there,” added former firefighter Michelle Carey. “He’ll be missed by many.

“He had a heart of gold,” Carey wrote. “I wish I had more time to have listened. He was a great man.”

Kurpis ordered flags flown at half-most in all borough buildings.

Funeral arrangements were pending.

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