PARSIPPANY — On June 17 at 2:00 p.m. the Township of Parsippany-Troy Hills will be dedicating a street to honor a 48-year veteran of the Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad.
Freneau Road will be given the honorary name of “Chief Marty Rosen Way” in a ceremony to be held at the Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad (PVAS) building, 397 Parsippany Road, Parsippany.
The PVAS building sits on the corner of Parsippany Road and Freneau Road. Mayor Michael A. Soriano will preside over the event.
Marty Rosen was a volunteer with the Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad for 48 years and was still an active member when he unexpectedly passed away on June 3, 2017 at the age of 89. Mr. Rosen joined the squad in 1968, three days after the squad was called to his home, for an injury to his youngest son, and circled the neighborhood three times not being able to find the new address. Mr. Rosen came home after joining and told his wife “they will never not find us again.” Having accomplished what he set out to do, Marty stayed with the squad for the next 48 years helping others. Over that period of time he held every rank and office the squad had to offer except Chief. The squad awarded him that rank posthumously in January 2018. It is estimated Marty went on over 12,000 calls in his time with the squad.
This included delivering two babies in the town. Marty was also squad liaison to the New Jersey First Aid Council District Six. Most current squad members who rose through the ranks were instructed how to do things “Marty’s way.” This became a rallying cry on how to get things done properly. When Marty passed away in June, the squad transported his casket to the cemetery in the ambulance for “one last ride.” The township also broadcast a final farewell over the police radio for all to hear. Not wanting to let go of a beloved member or lose his memory and what he meant to them, the squad petitioned the town for the street dedication.
Mayor Soriano was instrumental in getting the job done. In addition to volunteering for 48 years on the PVAS, after retiring, Marty was a school crossing guard stationed at Parsippany High School.
A decorated veteran of the Korean War, Marty was awarded the Purple Heart after being wounded in action in Korea during June of 1951. Marty also survived the battle at the Chosin Reservoir. Even though wounded in com-bat and suffering frostbite, Marty remained with the United States Marine Corp for the next 30 years. Again, when others would have left after doing what they had to do, he stayed. The town and squad invite all residents to attend the ceremony to honor a man who defined the spirit of volunteerism.
The Parsippany Volunteer Ambulance Squad has been serving the community since 1942. They are your “Neighbors helping Neighbors.”
They are 100% volunteer, 100% of the time. We do not bill for our services.