(left right) Bill Lellis, retired Chief of Larkspur; Steve Bogel, retired Captain of Tiburon; Jeff Davidson, retired Chief of Mill Valley; Paul Smith, retired Chief of Kentfield; Jim Parrot, retired Chief of Pinole; John Montenero, retired Chief of Corte Madera; Stan Rowan, retired Chief of Marin County; Bob Souza, retired Chief of Tamalpais Valley; Tim Exline, retired Chief of Sonoma County; Kim, Wild Fox staff; John Lando, retired Chief of Kentfield; Steve Bogel, retired Chief of Sausalito; Jim Irving, retired Chief of Southern Marin. Photo submitted by Jeff Davidson following November 1, 2017 lunch at Wild Fox in Ignacio.
The FELLAS and ROMEO groups have historical roots with retired Tiburon Chief Frank Busher. Here is some history from Frank's son, retired San Rafael FD Battalion Chief Jeff Buscher:
"Greetings; FELLA's and ROMEO's were two different and distinct groups. Both had roots in Marin Fire Services but FELLA's grew to a larger group that met once a year around April 1st (April Fools Day so it wouldn't be forgotten.) You could be a ROMEO and a FELLA, but not all FELLA's were ROMEO's. FELLA's started as a get together of fire professionals that had bonded over the years, mostly Chiefs and Sales folks. I think "Big Frank" saw how hard it was on those that had left the fire service, and provided a luncheon to reconnect and have fun. Chief Bunk Mercereau (Belvedere FD) and Chief Dick Williams (Tiburon FPD) seemed to be a focus to insure their participation.
As I recall FELLA's met at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, Elks Club in San Rafael and finally around Cordelia, CA. The gathering had a robust roster and grew to around 100 attendees and was moved to Cordelia to accommodate travel for FELLA's coming from distant parts of CA. Some of the early gatherings may have provided some kind of entertainment like a magician or something but I can't be sure. As "Big Frank" became weak and was no longer able to continue the organization of the gathering, he searched for a FELLA to take over. He worried about its sustainability and no one was willing to grab the reins. As I recall the Chief of Vallejo (I think) agreed to take over and all information was transferred to him. Both the Vallejo Chief and "Big Frank" died close together in time, and I have no idea if FELLAs survived. The last FELLAs meeting I'm aware of would have been around 2009?
Bob Sousa and Steve Bogel would be good resources to address the ROMEO's history. I have no doubt that ROMEOs and FELLAs have Frank J Busher's fingerprints on them. Best, Jeff"
As I recall FELLA's met at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, Elks Club in San Rafael and finally around Cordelia, CA. The gathering had a robust roster and grew to around 100 attendees and was moved to Cordelia to accommodate travel for FELLA's coming from distant parts of CA. Some of the early gatherings may have provided some kind of entertainment like a magician or something but I can't be sure. As "Big Frank" became weak and was no longer able to continue the organization of the gathering, he searched for a FELLA to take over. He worried about its sustainability and no one was willing to grab the reins. As I recall the Chief of Vallejo (I think) agreed to take over and all information was transferred to him. Both the Vallejo Chief and "Big Frank" died close together in time, and I have no idea if FELLAs survived. The last FELLAs meeting I'm aware of would have been around 2009?
Bob Sousa and Steve Bogel would be good resources to address the ROMEO's history. I have no doubt that ROMEOs and FELLAs have Frank J Busher's fingerprints on them. Best, Jeff"
This photo was taken of retired chiefs at a FELLAs gathering organized by Frank Buscher at Tiburon Tommies in the 1980's. "Bob Souza and I were there as staff members to Frank," said retired Sausalito Chief Steve Bogel. The photo was taken by retired Chief Carl Heynen of Alto.
PLEASE HELP Identify those in the photograph above:
According to retired Sausalito Chief Steve Bogel, this was taken at an early gathering of the FELLA's group that Tiburon Chief Frank Buscher organzed for retired members - Fire Executives of Long Long Ago. The photo was taken by retired Alto Richardson Bay Chief Carl Heynan, and the event was held at Tiburon Tommies. Retired Tamalpais Valley FPD Chief Bob Souza, pictured seated on the far left, thinks it was about 1979-80.
(l-r standing) John Raggio, retired Larkspur Fire Chief; Bobby Brand, Western Fire Equipment; Tim Harris, Belvedere Fire Chief; ______________; ____________; ____________; ______________; ______________; Kenny Kamp, Kentfield Chief; _____________; ____________; Frank Buscher, Tiburon Fire Chief; ___________; _____________; ______________; _____________; _____________; ______________; _____________; Chet Bailey, Van Pelt Salesman; Richard McLaren, retired San Anselmo Chief.
(l-r seated) ____________; _______________; Bunk Mersereau, retired Belvedere Fire Chief; ____________; Nip Dallas, Van Pelt; ____________; Steve Bogel, Sausalito Fire Chief; Bob Souza, Tamalpais Valley Fire Chief.
According to retired Sausalito Chief Steve Bogel, this was taken at an early gathering of the FELLA's group that Tiburon Chief Frank Buscher organzed for retired members - Fire Executives of Long Long Ago. The photo was taken by retired Alto Richardson Bay Chief Carl Heynan, and the event was held at Tiburon Tommies. Retired Tamalpais Valley FPD Chief Bob Souza, pictured seated on the far left, thinks it was about 1979-80.
(l-r standing) John Raggio, retired Larkspur Fire Chief; Bobby Brand, Western Fire Equipment; Tim Harris, Belvedere Fire Chief; ______________; ____________; ____________; ______________; ______________; Kenny Kamp, Kentfield Chief; _____________; ____________; Frank Buscher, Tiburon Fire Chief; ___________; _____________; ______________; _____________; _____________; ______________; _____________; Chet Bailey, Van Pelt Salesman; Richard McLaren, retired San Anselmo Chief.
(l-r seated) ____________; _______________; Bunk Mersereau, retired Belvedere Fire Chief; ____________; Nip Dallas, Van Pelt; ____________; Steve Bogel, Sausalito Fire Chief; Bob Souza, Tamalpais Valley Fire Chief.
Another shot of the group at lunch on November 1, 2017 at Wild Fox in Ignacio. Doug Archer, retired Deputy Chief of Larkspur is on the far right, and was not in the photo taken of this group out front, top of this page.
Marin County Fire Department Retirees
Photo courtesy Jim Mann, showing the 2016 MCFD lunch gathering.
The Marin County Fire Department Retirees
by Jim Mann,
"I have an email contact list of 56 of our department retirees. We have a rule that we only include our department retirees, with the exception of inviting Chief Jason Weber to join us when he can.
We meet every three months for lunch. Usually in January, April, July, and September. Normally we go to Marin Joe's, but occasionally we will go to San Rafael Joe's. For one of the summer lunches, retired Chief Ken Massucco organizes a BBQ at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. For this lunch, spouses are invited to attend. Also, occasionally retired Senior Captain Pete Martin will invite us to join him for lunch at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, where he is a member.
I pick a date a month in advance and email it to all the guys in my address book. Then send out a reminder and RSVP a week before. We usually have 15 to 20 show up for the regular lunch, and double for the BBQ. There are several on my list who we never see or hear from. I also use the contact list to update everyone on any department related news or activities that I hear about."
by Jim Mann,
"I have an email contact list of 56 of our department retirees. We have a rule that we only include our department retirees, with the exception of inviting Chief Jason Weber to join us when he can.
We meet every three months for lunch. Usually in January, April, July, and September. Normally we go to Marin Joe's, but occasionally we will go to San Rafael Joe's. For one of the summer lunches, retired Chief Ken Massucco organizes a BBQ at Samuel P. Taylor State Park. For this lunch, spouses are invited to attend. Also, occasionally retired Senior Captain Pete Martin will invite us to join him for lunch at the Corinthian Yacht Club in Tiburon, where he is a member.
I pick a date a month in advance and email it to all the guys in my address book. Then send out a reminder and RSVP a week before. We usually have 15 to 20 show up for the regular lunch, and double for the BBQ. There are several on my list who we never see or hear from. I also use the contact list to update everyone on any department related news or activities that I hear about."
Mill Valley Fire Department Retirees
Mill Valley Retirees Lunch November, 2017. Hop Monk Tavern, Novato
Photos and info courtesy retired Fire Chief Jeff Davidson,
Brent Chadwick, Fire Captain (retired)
Jeff Davidson, Fire Chief (retired)
Jim Rey, Battalion Chief (retired)
Michael St. John, Battalion Chief
Clint Mason, Fire Captain (retired)
Roy Bernard, Battalion Chief (retired)
Jim McClure, Fire Captain (retired)
Steve Kompf, Fire Captain (retired)
Matt Muldoon, Southern Marin Fire (and former SMEMPS Paramedic
Tom Welch, Fire Chief
Ron Reher, Engineer (retired)
Jeff Deam, San Jose Fire Engineer (former Mill Valley Engineer)
John Keane, Fire Chief (retired) Sonoma Valley (former Battalion Chief Mill Valley)
Jim Irving, Fire Chief, Southern Marin (and former SMEMPS)
Photos and info courtesy retired Fire Chief Jeff Davidson,
Brent Chadwick, Fire Captain (retired)
Jeff Davidson, Fire Chief (retired)
Jim Rey, Battalion Chief (retired)
Michael St. John, Battalion Chief
Clint Mason, Fire Captain (retired)
Roy Bernard, Battalion Chief (retired)
Jim McClure, Fire Captain (retired)
Steve Kompf, Fire Captain (retired)
Matt Muldoon, Southern Marin Fire (and former SMEMPS Paramedic
Tom Welch, Fire Chief
Ron Reher, Engineer (retired)
Jeff Deam, San Jose Fire Engineer (former Mill Valley Engineer)
John Keane, Fire Chief (retired) Sonoma Valley (former Battalion Chief Mill Valley)
Jim Irving, Fire Chief, Southern Marin (and former SMEMPS)