George W. Steger, 102, was part of the Greatest Generation. He was a World War II hero, mechanical engineer, family man, volunteer firefighter, and more. He passed away on January 5^th while residing at the New Jersey Firemen's Home in Boonton.

As a youth, George lived on 60^th Street in West New York, across the street from Truck Co. 1's firehouse. His father was chief of the WNY auxiliary firemen. Auxiliary firemen were volunteers that go back to the Civil Defense days. So, George became interested in the fire department and “buffed” Truck 1's house. 

He graduated from Pratt Institute in 1943 with a mechanical engineering degree. The day after his graduation, he was drafted into the US Army.  

After basic training, he boarded a ship that landed in Le Harve, France. With his fellow soldiers, he fought his way to just outside of Berlin, at the Elbe River, where an entire German tank division surrendered to Steger's troops.  

Later, he became the 405^th Infantry Division Company C clerk when his first sergeant discovered that he was a college graduate. 

Steger served in 19 battles. He was put in charge of soldiers who maintained order at the Nuremburg trials. At the end of the war, he was put in charge of the German prisoners at the trials.  

When he returned to West New York, he married his high school sweetheart, Ethel. George was employed with RCA in Harrison for 33-years. Still interested in the fire service, he became a West New York auxiliary fireman, riding with Truck Co. 1.     

The couple moved to Maywood in 1954, and Steger became a volunteer fireman with Protection Hook & Ladder Company. Over the years, he served as lieutenant, captain and as company treasurer for over 30-years. Additional duties included being safety officer.  

He also returned to West New York on his days off and rode with Truck 1, continuing his auxiliary status. Here, he rose to the rank of auxiliary fire chief. Never visit a firehouse empty handed. He was famous for delivering many desserts. When the West New York Fire Department merged into the North Hudson regional department, Steger was still chief of the auxiliary unit. He continued to ride with North Hudson second battalion chiefs, that were assigned to a West New York firehouse, at the time. Steger was also named an Honorary Battalion Chief with the North Hudson Regional Fire & Rescue. 

While residing in Boonton, George was active in many activities. Members of the Maywood Fire Department and active and retired West New York firefighters visited him on a regular basis.

His close friend, Maywood Fire Chief Roy De Young, would organize visits to Boonton, and proudly post those visits on Facebook. It was fitting that De Young had become Chief of Department at the time of George's passing to lead the way for his funeral.

An escort of Maywood and State Police vehicles proceeded from the funeral home in Paramus to the Grove Church cemetery in North Bergen. The procession included the Maywood fire companies. While proceeding down Route 17, the Hasbrouck Heights Fire Department provided a final salute at an overpass.    

The cemetery was filled with Maywood firefighters, police and retired and active West New York/North Hudson firefighters. Also present were on duty North Hudson fire companies. Firefighter Steger was buried with military honors.  

George Steger was the definition of a mild mannered gentleman, and he was well loved and respected by his fire service family.