28°
Lodder, a former department captain and lieutenant, was diagnosed with stomach cancer this year after beating lung cancer a year ago.
"Today started off as the hardest day in my life. I lost my best friend and the man I looked up to most," his son, Travis Lodder, wrote on Facebook Sunday morning.
"My father was one of the strongest people I have ever seen. He fought so hard for so long to defy the odds and beat his cancer," the younger Lodder wrote. "Unfortunately shortly after midnight the fight was over -- but in no way did he lose."
He praised his dad and thanked him for "taught me, put up with, and everything you have done for me. You coached me in baseball, helped me with homework, brought into the fire service, and yelled at me when I deserved it.
"I know you are with me and you will always be with me to teach me more and protect me."
Fellow firefighters have shown support throughout his father's battles, Lodder said.
"They say the fire department is like a second family. It's the brotherhood and sisterhood," he said. "It has been incredible how much of a family the department has been for us."
A Paterson native, George Lodder was graduated from Fair Lawn High School in 1972.
He was a 30-year member of Company 2 and served as a lieutenant, captain, junior firefighter instructor and safety officer.
A former auto mechanic and EMT, he served as the safety officer prior to his illness and also was an EMT and fire instructor for Passaic County.
Visiting hours are 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Tuesday at the Browning Forshay Funeral Home, 557 Laffayette Ave., Hawthorne. Services will be at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, with a pass of the firehouse before cremation.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or to Hawthorne Fire Department Company 2 at 10 Llewelyn Ave.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Paterson and receive free news updates.
