John Centanni has spent the better part of his life as a Newark firefighter.
The 51-year-old fire chief rose through the ranks after joining the department in 1986, and has dedicated his life to ensuring the safety of Newark's residents. On Monday, Centanni worked his last shift before retirement.
"You'd be hard pressed to find a bigger cheerleader of the Newark Fire Department," Raul Malave, the city's assistant public safety director, told dozens of friends, family and colleagues who'd gathered on Clifton Street Monday for Centanni's ceremonial sendoff. "As chief, he was creative, tenacious, steadfast and laser focused," Malave said.