This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

THE MAYOR IS DEAD

THE MAYOR IS DEAD

BY

JACK GOUDSWARD

Find out what's happening in Wyckoffwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 

 

Find out what's happening in Wyckoffwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

“The Mayor is dead”. That is what the citizens of Franklin Lakes woke up to on Friday morning February 8, 1941. Mayor W.H. Ainley died of a heart attack while attending a meeting of the Fire Company in the Town Hall. This building is now the Board of Education Building.  He was one of the four men that were pivotal in the formation of the town. He served on the Town Council for 18 years. He was district clerk for the Board of Education for 12 years. He took office on January 1, 1941 and was the second Mayor of the town. He took over from William V. Pulis. Mr. Ainlay was 71 years old when he died.  

   More than 200 persons, including many borough and county officials, filled the church to capacity for the rites which were conduct d by the Rev. Lawrence Richards. The Organ music was played Jacob Smith. The Franklin Lakes Fire Department, which Mr. Ainlay was a member, attended in uniform. Other groups represented were the Board of Education, the Borough Council and the faculty of the school.

   Bergen county officials attending included Police Commissioner Frederick E. Koester, County Clerk James W. Mercer, Sheriff William R. Browne, County Treasurer Robert S. Tipping and several members of the county weights and measures department.

   Honorary pallbearers were William V. Pulis, former mayor, Samuel Bowers Sr. , president of the borough council, J. Smylie Kinne, borough recorder, Alfred Barnard, superintendent of the county weights and measures department, Charles fox and John I. De Korte borough councilmen.

   Pallbearers were Edward Gorman chief of the fire Department, Roy Bender and William Pulis both former chiefs, Fred Bohrer, president of the department, John B. Storms and Herbert Q. Hopper both borough councilmen.

   Two Bergen County Police cars served as an escort for the funeral procession as it traveled to Cedar Lawn Cemetery. The floral tributes that filled the church were removed and placed into the Flower Coach. They filled it to capacity. Arriving at the cemetery the mayor was laid to rest.

 William Henry Ainlay has the distinction of being the first mayor to die in office.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?