Local Field Keeps Fireman's Memory Alive for His Family

Neil Mannerberg loved to travel.

Mannerberg, who was a past fire chief of company no. 2 in Lake Hopatcong, had a recreational vehicle, and he loved to take his wife pat and sons Paul and Scott on trips to campgrounds far and wide.

But when he was home in Jefferson, he spent time at the firehouse, and at a field nearby. Which is why, last November, a tract of land at near has been named after Mannerberg, who passed away in June 2010.

The land that is named after Mannerberg was donated to the town by the fire department in about 1978, Paul said. Originally, the fire department planned to move the building that is on Rt. 15 back to that piece of property, but the town discouraged it because of the cost. In about 1983, the department cleared the land, and for many years it was used for flea markets.

“My dad loved flea markets, and for many years, there was a flea market on this land every weekend,” said Neil’s son Paul. “Eventually, my dad wanted to spend more time going away camping on the weekends, so he gave up the flea markets.”

After the flea markets ended in about 1998, the fire department leased the land to the town to use for sporting events.

“Eventually the town bought the part of the land from the department and turned it into ball fields, but this one section remained clear,” Paul said. “After my father died last year, Mayor Felter asked if the town could name the field after him.”

Today, the fire department uses the tract of land for picnics and other parties. It is also available for lease for outdoor events.

Having that piece of land named after Neil Mannerberg is just one more way for his family to keep his memory alive, his wife Pat said.

“It gets used a lot, and it’s maintained well, which is how Neil would have wanted it,” Pat said.