Longtime Irvington Firefighter Honored for 50 Years of Community Service

Joe Clarke (second from right) with some of his fellow volunteer firefighter. Photo supplied The best communities are those made up of individuals who selflessly devote their time to serving others.   The Village of Irvington and its surrounding River Towns have certainly benefited over the last six decades from the efforts of Joe Clarke in several capacities.  Clarke, 68, served 21 years as an Irvington police officer, rising to the rank of sergeant.   For the last 38 years, he has owned and operated Greenfield Plumbing Heating, based in Sleepy Hollow, which has established a solid reputation.  Surpassing both of those impressive accomplishments is his 50-year volunteer service to the Irvington Fire Department, for which Clarke was recently honored.  “You have to enjoy what you’re doing,” Clarke said. “It’s hard to believe that much time went away. One day you turn around and it’s been 50 years.”  Clarke’s early years were anything but settled. At four years old, his parents split u