John Michael Hoy
Sargent at Arms 1966-1968
Date of Birth: June 19, 1933
Date of Death: April 6, 2019
John Michael Hoy was born on June 19, 1933 in Ferndale, Maryland to William J. and Elizabeth A. Hoy. John attended local schools in Anne Arundel County including Ferndale Elementary, Linthicum Junior High and Glen Burnie High. He also attended Catonsville Community College and Anne Arundel Community College.
Known by most as John Mike, he enlisted in the Navy and served four years from to 1953-1957 as a BT2 (Boiler Operator). John began his fire service as a volunteer firefighter at the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company in 1949, taking his first class on Firefighting Tactics from the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute in 1951 and his “Basic” class in 1959. On January 1, 1963 John was hired as the third pump operator by the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company and in 1965 was brought into the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. He worked at Ferndale from 1963 to 1973. In 1973 John was assigned to Fire Alarm where he stayed for the remainder of his career. He saw many technological advances including 911, Computer-aided Dispatching and an 800MHz radio system. Two events that standout in his career were the bombing of the Burmont Bar on Crain Highway and a vehicle that was struck by a Pennsylvania Railroad train near Stoney Run Road.
John had a variety of hobbies including gardening, any history related to railroads, the United States, and the Navy. He also enjoyed a number of activities including showing dogs, hunting and taking photos. He was active in a number of organizations. Fire Service organizations included the Ferndale Volunteer Fire Company as the Historian until his passing. He was awarded Life Membership to the company, The Anne Arundel County Volunteer Firefighters Association as the Sargent of Arms 1966-1968, The Anne Arundel County Professional Firefighters Local 1563. Other noteworthy organizations include the Maryland Genealogical Society, President of the Baltimore Area Transit Association, the American Legion, Ferndale Community Club, and the Maryland Historical Society.
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