JOE LOUIS

Joe Louis, heavyweight boxing champion of the world, trained for his bouts in Pompton Lakes and will be long remembered for his generous donation of proceeds from an exhibition bout to enable the newly formed Pompton Lakes First Aid Squad to purchase a much-needed Ambulance in 1935. The proceeds of the bout, $2,935, plus a $1,000 donation contributed by Elsie Kirkland, whose business partner died while waiting for an ambulance, financed the purchase of the new Packard ambulance for $3,935.

In 1967, more that 2,000 people turned out to welcome Joe Louis when he came back for a nostalgic visit.

On April 12, 1981, Joe Louis died of a heart attack. With tributes from the President of the United States, clergymen of many faiths and many famous persons, he was given a hero's burial in Arlington National Cemetery.

Heavyweight Champion Joe Louis James Egan