“Keeping Instant Reliable Service in Capable Hands”
When Isadore Kirsch opened a gas station at 607 market Street in East Paterson, New Jersey, in 1932, he had no idea how it would grow. He did know that he wanted to leave it to his 3 sons: Sidney, Bill, and George.
When his sons were old enough to join him, they each had a specialty. Bill worked in the office and kept the books. Sidney kept the trucks up and running, and George drove the trucks and delivered the oil.
Sidney and his father, Isadore
Isadore
Sidney’s wife and son Joey visit the gas station. Note the hours and the price of oil.
In those days they would do oil changes over an open pit in the ground. Today that would considered pollution and would not be allowed.
When Isadore died in 1947, he left the station to his 3 sons, naming his oldest son, Sidney, as the head. [1]
Although his daughters were not named in the will, they were always welcome to fill up their cars with gas for free at the station. This continued while the brothers ran the station.
The fuel oil business was always slower in the summer. In the 1960’s the brothers bought into a concession on the Asbury Park boardwalk. You can read more about that in the Blog section under “Asbury Park Memories”.
When Sidney, Bill, and George were nearing retirement, Sidney’s son, Joe, took over the station. He was the only grandchild of Isadore who showed interest in the station. Prior to taking it over, he had only worked outside and later on in life, he regretted that he did not have more experience in the management beore taking over.
Kirsch & Sons Oil Co. belonged to the Passaic County Fuel Oil Dealers Association. In 1972, they pledged to serve the public under a code of ethics. [2]
In 1973, East Paterson became Elmwood Park so the station was now located at 607 Market Street in Elmwood Park. [3]
In 1974, Joe issued a statement to explain the oil business and possibly clarify some myths. [4]
In 1977, a nice history of the Kirsch Oil Co. was published in the Shopper News (Paramus, New Jersey) [5]
Joe eventually sold the business circa 2001. Today the station no longer exists. In 2023, it is another gas station. [6]
Source
- [1] Newspaper article about the Kirsch Estate was found in The News (Paterson, New Jersey), 23 Oct 1947 Thursday, Page 3 . Downloaded from Newspapers.com
- [2] The Herald-News (Passaic, New Jersey) Tuesday, APril 18,1972, Page 5. Downloaded from Newspapers.com
- [3] A Brief History of the Borough of Elmwood Park
- [4] News Beacon and Dispatch (Fair Lawn, New Jersey), April 12, 1974, Friday, Page 18. Downloaded from Newspapers.com
- [5] Kirsch Oil History was published in hte Shopper News (Paramus ,New Jersy) January 26, 1977, Wednesday, Page 53. Downloaded from Newspapers.com
- [6] 607 Market Street in 2023 -from Google Maps
Note: All photos are from the private collection of the Kirsch family and should be used only with permission.