Submitted by his wife

Vincent was born to Alice and George McGuinness in 1928. He had one sister‚ Maureen‚ and his beloved dog‚ Scamper. He attended Borough School in Morris Plains and graduated Morristown High School in 1946‚ where he played on the varsity baseball team.

He then attended Seton Hall University.

He joined the National Guard in 1948. We married in 1949. A year later‚ our first son‚ George‚ was born‚ and the National Guard became activated in the Korean War. Vince left with his company for active duty in Korea.

When Vince was discharged‚ we moved to Morris Plains and he joined the Morris Plains Volunteer Fire Department. Vince’s love for his family – his six sons and his daughter – came first. His love for the Morris Plains Fire Department came next. He was a proud member of the fire department‚ which brings me to February 13‚ 1992.

At noon‚ while at work at Morristown Memorial Hospital‚ I was called to the emergency room. As I approached‚ three of my sons (police officers) were standing at the doorway. I was then told that my Vince‚ upon returning from a fire call‚ backed his fire truck into the firehouse garage‚ walked over to join his fellow firemen to discuss the call‚ collapsed‚ and died at the firehouse.

My husband‚ Vince‚ had a great effect on his fellow firemen and our community. My husband was buried on February 18th‚ his daughter’s birthday.

Military Service

National Guard‚ 695th Division (1949)

Sergeant First Class (July 27‚ 1950)

Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star

Combat Infantry Badge‚ So 235‚ 7th Infantry (October 12‚ 1951)

United Nations Service Medal‚ CIB So 235‚ 7th Infantry Fegt.

Discharged May 21‚ 1952

Fire Service

Life Member‚ NJ State Firemen’s Association

NJ State Exempt Firemen’s Association

Chief – 1968

Secretary‚ Morris Plains Firemen’s Association

President‚ Firemen’s Relief Association

Participated in Operation Essex Newark Fire Emergency (400 fires in Newark)‚ April 10‚ 1968

Work Experience

Telephone Pioneer of America‚ Bell Atlantic

Retired from active service with NJ Bell Telephone System (August 11‚ 1990)

Interests

Little League coach‚ golfing‚ bowling‚ gardening

Children

George Finance Director‚ The Seeing Eye‚ Morristown (NJ)

Michael Dr. of Physical Therapy‚ Boston (MA)

Karleen Leahey President‚ Morris Plains (NJ) Historical Museum

John Lieutenant‚ Morris Township (NJ) Police Department

Vincent Lawyer‚ Philadelphia (PA)

Glenn Lieutenant Park Police‚ Fireman‚ Mansfield Township (NJ)

Mark Detective‚ Morristown (NJ) Police Department

Grandchildren

10 Grandsons including one volunteer firefighter and two midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy

4 Granddaughters