Smithtown FD-Veteran Firefighter dies

February 19, 1979 Edward (Starry) Ludder, an active fireman for almost 55 years succumbed to a lingering illness and passed into life eternal today. He attended his last firematic meeting on January 15th, a meeting of Engine Company 3, of which, he was a member of during his entire fire service career. Starry, as he was better known as, right up until a short time before his death, was a most active fireman, and he would be seen hurrying from his home on Cedar Street behind the firehouse, to man the first truck as it took off on an alarm. Ludder joined the fire department on March 4, 1924 and served as Company 3 Assistant Engineer and Engineer a number of times. He never had an interest in becoming an officer. Starry was voted Fireman of the year in 1971. Edward’s brother Stewart, another 55 year member of the department, died in early November of 1978. **