Camden People - Mario Fattore

MARIO D. FATTORE was born in New Jersey on February 3, 1920 to Domenic and Domenica Fattore, who had come to America from Italy, in 1903 and 1913 respectively. Domenic Fattore worked as a cement finisher. Louis Fattore, named Luigi at birth, was their first child. He was followed by Mario, Domenic Jr., Mary, and Leona. There was also a step-son, Alberto J. Fattore. The family was living in 1930 at 926 South 5th Street in Camden NJ. The later moved to 826 South 5th Street.

Older brother Louis Fattore enlisted into the Army in March of 1942 and reported to Fort Dix NJ. By October of 1942 he had been promoted to Sergeant, and was stationed at Fort Bragg NC. He volunteered for parachute duty, and was trained at Fort Benning GA. Assigned to the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR), Louis Fattore took part in the invasion of Sicily, and was was killed in action there on July 21, 1943.

Mario Fattore enlisted in the United States Army in Camden on July 19, 1939. He was designated to serve in the Philippine Islands, however, as of this writing details of his service are unknown.

Mario Fattore married Alfred Ostruska around 1942. The marriage produced three children, daughters Kathi and Michelle, and son Louis Fattore.

On March 2, 1948 Mario Fattore was appointed to the Camden Fire Department. He reported to duty with Engine Company 6 the following day.

The 1956 New Jersey Bell Telephone Directory shows the Fattore family living at 1222 Morton Street. By October of 1959 they had moved to 1082 Thurman Street.

Mario Fattore served with Engine 6 until health problems caused him to be temporarily assigned to the Fire School, on March 9, 1961. A few weeks later, on April 3, 1961 he was assigned to the Fire Marshall's office, where he remained until June 1, 1961 when he retired on a disability pension.

Mario Fattore later moved to 4103 Camden Avenue in Pennsauken. He was living at that address in 1967 when his son Louis Fattore was appointed to the Camden Fire Department, where he would serve for seven years before leaving the department on a disability pension. By 1970 Mario Fattore had moved to Sloan Avenue in Collingswood, New Jersey. He passed away on July 31, 1994. He was survived by his wife Alfreda and his three children.

*Camden Courier-Post August 12, 1954**


NO HOPE is expressed in the face of this fireman as he and other firemen vainly try to revive Riley Drummond,12, and his sister, Terry, 7, two of the three Drummond children who drowned Wednesday afternoon at Cooper River Park. The body of the third victim, Mary, 8, was taken from the river five hours later. Shown working (left to right) are Fireman Wesley Faust, Captain Arthur Batten, Firemen John Yates, of Rescue Squad 1, Mario Fattore, of Engine 3, and Henry Keubler, of Engine 3.

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Edward Brendlinger - Harry Wagner - Chestnut Street - Dr. William A. West Terry Drummond - Josephine Drummond - Karl Drummond - Riley Drummond - Mary Drummond Joseph Drummond - Viola Drummond Ringo - Albert J. Davis

Camden Courier-Post * August 19, 1957

Firemen Here Get Advanced First Aid Course

More than 40 members of the Camden Fire Department have completed the Red Cross course in advanced first aid according to announcement today by Howard F. Keller, Collingswood, chairman of the Camden County Chapter's first aid committee.

Instruction sessions were under the direction of Fire Chief William V. Pfefferle, Drillmaster Anthony Dzinski, a member of the local chapter first aid group, assisted by Nicholas E. George, were instructors. Dzinski is a member of the Red Cross faculty at the National Aquatic School held in this area each year for instruction in advance safety techniques. Dick Harris, director of Red Cross safety services, supervised.

All members of the graduating class are personnel of several units housed at fire department headquarters here. These include the Headquarters Company, Engine Company 2, Rescue Squad 1 and Truck Company 1. These groups include:

Rescue Squad: Captains Arthur Batten, Philip A. Stinger and Albert Weller; Edward Brendlinger, Harrison MacNeir, Robert Olesiewicz and James W. Smith.

Headquarters Company: Raymond Banford, John K. Voll and John W. Yates.

Truck Company 1: Captains Daniel Jiannetto, Robert E. Dukes and Otto V. Kaiser; William Watkin, Chester Gedrich, George Baxter, John Mogck, George C. Hennessy, Charles Devlin, Ambrose W. Faust, Joseph McTaggart, Howard R. Taggart, William G. Winstanley and Elmer Johnson Jr.

Engine Company 2: Captains James R. Asher, Thomas Winstanley; Carl Wirtz, James McGrory, Edwin V. Decker, James Stewart, Francis X. McTaggart, Anthony T. Orme, Mario D. Fattore, James O. Jones, Francis P. Stibi, William Hopkins, Robert E. Briggs, John Giuliano, Casper Martelli, Harold H. Pike, John J. Vane, William Stibi, John DiMaggio and Harry Kleinfelder.

*Camden Courier-Post October 12, 1956**


FIRE PREVENTION WEEK was observed Thursday at the Camden Post Office when the building was evacuated during a simulated fire. Postmaster Edward Praiss (right) directed removal of the mail. Among those assisting are hosemen Francis Stibi and Mario Fattore (at left in photo).