A bill that would rename a portion of a state highway in Woodbridge after Bruce Turcotte, who died in 2012 while fighting a fire, awaits Gov. Christie's signature.
WOODBRIDGE TOWNSHIP -- A bill that would rename a portion of a state highway in Woodbridge after Bruce Turcotte, who died in 2012 while fighting a fire, is awaiting Gov. Chris Christie's signature.
If signed, a portion of State Highway 184 would become "Bruce Turcotte Memorial Highway," under a bill passed by the Senate last week.
The bill was sponsored by Senator Joseph Vitale (D-Woodbridge).
"Although he is gone from the community, Chief Turcotte will never be forgotten in Woodbridge where he spent his a lifetime selflessly serving and saving others as a volunteer firefighter," Vitale said in a statement.
Turcotte's son, Brian, who is also a volunteer firefighter and was with him the day he died, said the family is "very honored," by the legislation.
"We are proud they are honoring his legacy," Brian Turcotte said.
"It was definitely a surprise" when Vitale and the other legislators who represent the township in the Assembly and Senate told his family they were proposing the bill, Turcotte said. "We never thought about it."
He said they thought when the township named a park in Hopelawn after his father "that was enough."
Bruce Turcotte joined the Hopelawn Engine Company #1 in Woodbridge in 1973 when he was 20 years old and rose, becoming fire chief in 1983.
On Jan. 19, 2012, Turcotte, his son Brian, who was the fire company's assistant fire chief, and their crew, responded to a house fire on Jefferson Street. Bruce Turcotte was found unresponsive behind the wheel of a rescue truck, shortly after assisting in stretching hoses so the engine company could advance toward the building. He had suffered a heart attack.
"Honoring the life and public service of a man who was genuinely loved and respected by his family, colleagues, and others on the community exemplifies for the countless contributions he made to Woodbridge Township and its residents," Vitale said.
The governor's office had no comment on when the governor might sign the legislation.
Sue Epstein may be reached at sepstein@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @susan_epstein. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
