‘Praiseworthy service’

When Jack Costa moved to Middlesex Borough more than five decades ago, he marveled at the commitment of its volunteer firefighters. He noted that they even brought holiday cheer by driving Santa Claus around the community atop a firetruck.

At the time, little did Costa know he would one day portray St. Nick aboard a similar apparatus and earn honors for serving 50 years as a firefighter.

Mayor Jack Mikołajczyk and the Borough Council thanked Costa on Tuesday, Nov. 26 for his many years of firefighting and service as Office of Emergency Management (OEM)) director. Costa was honored that evening as the seventh recipient of the Pillar of Middlesex award.

Costa joined H.C. Pierce Hose Co. in 1974 and has served as the borough OEM director since 1996.

Numerous borough firefighters and OEM volunteers attended the presentation at the Ronald S. Dobies municipal building. Mikolajczyk and Council President Michael Conahan presented Costa with the award and a proclamation was read.

The proclamation called Costa an “irreplaceable asset” to the fire department, OEM and community, adding he “devoted his life to ensuring the safety of others.”

“It’s quite an honor,” Costa told officials and well-wishers.

Costa completed military service in 1969. He recalled seeing a Middlesex firetruck drive through his neighborhood with Santa Claus after he’d moved to the community. “I thought, that’s pretty cool,” he said of the firefighters’ annual St. Nick escort.

“Many, many years later, I’d be wearing a red suit,” Costa joked, noting he eventually took a turn as Mr. Claus. Costa became a firefighter after learning more about the Middlesex Fire Department from a friend.

Former Mayor John Madden offered words of congratulations to Costa, having worked with him on various borough endeavors for nearly four decades.

“We’re witnessing a profound 50-year legacy, the likes of which, may probably never happen again,” Madden said.

During his tenure with OEM, Costa has worked through various complications such as communications glitches and state directives, Madden noted.

“It takes a well-disciplined individual to make it all happen,”  Madden said, adding that Costa had shown “unwavering dedication and inspiring leadership.”

Costa has served various roles during his fire department service including: fire chief from 1989 through 1991, lieutenant, captain, 2nd assistant chief, 1st assistant chief, Middlesex Borough Fire Department treasurer for 13 years; Pierce Hose Co. treasurer for 40 years, safety officer and department training officer for six years.

Costa’s dedication and service have earned him prior honors such as the Outstanding Citizen Award (twice), the Mayor’s Medal in 2001, Elks Citizen of the Year in 2007 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2012.

Earlier recipients of Pillars of Middlesex recognition were: John and Sheila Fuhrmann, Ed Johnson, Jim Grimm, and Robert and Amelia Sherr. Mikolajczyk and the council initiated the award earlier this year to recognize longtime commitment to the community.

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