Longtime Firefighter, Dispatcher, First Aider

A longtime dispatcher for local fire and EMS and lifetime member of Toms River fire and first aid squads died of natural causes Sunday. Services for Ernest “Stubby” Stubbington, 80, begin today.

Stubbington, of Beachwood, was a recognizable voice of the dispatch for more than 25 years, according to his obituary prepared by Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home. Also a longtime volunteer in the township’s fire companies, his service began in July, 1978.

Stubbington passed away Sunday, Jan. 30, 2011, at Community Medical Center, Toms River. He was born in New York and lived in Toms River for 45 years until moving to Beachwood 10 years ago.

In addition, “Stubby” was a lifetime member of the Toms River First Aid Squad. He was a  "Second Time Arounders" of the FAS, a group comprised of Life members with ten or more years of active service.

He also served as a lifetime member of Toms River Fire Co. #1, and was also a Chaplain for many years.

Stubbington had served on the committee for the fire company’s annual Halloween Parade, one of the country’s largest Halloween parades.

Among the many events he attended as a representative of Toms River firefighters was a 2009 ceremony honoring Sept. 11, 2001. Stubbington read The Fireman’s Prayer during a portion of the event, which drew more than 300 attendees to honor those who died in the Sept. 11 attacks.

He was an active participant in many of the fire and EMS events, including the anniversaries of the FAS.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Stubbington; three sons, Stuart Stubbington, Thomas Struz and his wife Robyn, and Steven Struz and his wife Debbie; two daughters, Lisa Stubbington and Deborah Golkiewicz and her husband William; eight grandchildren; and extended family, The Weingroff Family.

Visiting will be from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 4 and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 5 at the Anderson & Campbell Funeral Home, 703 Main St., Toms River. A Fireman's Service will be held at 8 p.m. Friday. Cremation will be private. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his name may be made to Toms River Fire Co. #1, P.O. Box 1035, Toms River, NJ 08754.