There are few neighborhoods in Rhode Island that display as much community spirit as Warwick’s Oakland Beach.

And there are few villages in the state, Mayor Scott Avedisian and City Council President Donna Travis said Sunday, that offer as much concern for their tight-knit community as Oakland Beach.

On Sunday the community came together to celebrate two Oakland Beach milestones. More than 400 people turned out for the 100th anniversary of the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company, the well-maintained red-brick building – which is now a prospering social club – that has roots dating back to 1913.

In the middle of it all was Thomas “Tommy” Bonn, whose family has perhaps as many roots to the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company as there are now members. President Ron Manfredo wanted it known Bonn is “the oldest sitting fire chief in the state, maybe the country.”

“James T. Bonn joined the company in 1924 and he quickly climbed the ranks,” said Travis. “His brother Thomas became chief of the Warwick Fire Department in 1975. In addition, five other [Bonn] brothers served in the company.”

Chief Thomas “Tommy” Bonn, who joined the former Volunteer Fire Company as a mascot when he was just 14 years old, is now 95 and, as family members and friends noted Sunday, “He has been a firefighter for 80 years.”

Bonn was chief from 1975-1982. He later retired, but as Manfredo – who has been a Company member the past 37 years – emphasized, “He has remained as Chief of the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company.”

Perhaps two Company members – former Warwick Fire Chief Tom Rowan and Club Steward Rocky Hudson – gave the best description and tribute to the day’s honored guest.

“When he was chief,” Rowan, who directed the WFD from 1996-2001, began, “I stood in that corner where a fire truck was parked and watched and listened to Chief Bonn. He was giving a Boy Scout troop a tour of the station and demonstration. I was one of those Boy Scouts; that ought to tell you how long he’s been around. I also remember that fire chiefs from all over the state used to come here because of Chief Bonn.”

Hudson, though, may have given the day’s best tribute to Chief Bonn, who in addition to receiving a special blessing from former St. Rita’s pastor Father Frank O’Hara received an encased fire department helmet shield during the ceremony.

“This day means everything to me,” Hudson said, his voice cracking with emotion. “I’ve been here over 40 years...because of him I got to ride on the first truck as a youngster. He’s the salt of the earth; he always treated everyone like they were his family.”

Hudson, who helped coordinate a colorful pre-celebration parade that included several old-time fire trucks, antique cars and Greenwood Volunteer Fire Company’s 1825 hose pumper as well as two current vehicles from Station 3 on West Shore Road, where the vehicles-only line of march originated from Sunday, then paused while regaining his composure: “There are heroes in all walks of life; but there’s only one Chief Tommy Bonn!”

The long-standing chief, who now lives with his son Joe Bonn in Coventry, was also a member of the building committee that drew up the plans for the current Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company that Travis informed Sunday’s crowd “was built in 1954 and remained in that capacity until 1972.”

Travis also explained that “in 1903 a devastating fire swept the Oakland Beach community, destroying the Oakland Beach Hotel, stables, hope cottages and ice house. The bucket brigade method subdued the fire, but the extensive amount of damage exemplified the need for an organized fire team and thus, in 1913, the Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company was born.”

Travis also took Sunday’s crowd back in time, recalling days like in 1917 when the company responded to a fire at the Aldrich Mansion and saved valuable art. She also spoke about the 1938 Hurricane and 1954 when Hurricane Carol hit and the company, in conjunction with the Red Cross, provided food and shelter for those displaced by the wicked storm.

“Now known as the Oakland Beach Volunteer Firemen’s Club, its history reverberates into the present with a reconnection to local churches and the JONAH Center,” Travis continued, “and with its many fund-raising projects to meet needs of this [Oakland Beach] community.”

Avedisian, meanwhile, heaped praise upon the Company for this special 100th anniversary celebration and best wishes for its continued and unparalleled success.

“The Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company has always come together for its neighbors,” said Avedisian, who received a thunderous sound of applause when introduced by the day’s emcee, Deacon Jack Corey of Exeter-based St. Kateri Church. “This is the oldest volunteer fire company in the state; you have the oldest sitting fire chief in the state...I wish this company another one hundred years of success!”

State Sen. William Walaska and State Rep. Frank Ferri were among the day’s special speakers and presented the company with special Rhode Island Senate and House citations. They also thanked the day’s attendees who the veteran elected officials said, “We are indeed proud to serve and thank you for your continued support.”

In the end, after the pomp and circumstance, which included a special visit from Miss Rhode Island Jessica Marfeo, the laying of two wreaths and the playing of “Taps” by WFD Lt. Steve Cahoon, was complete, people began enjoying the company’s unmatched camaraderie, food and friendship. And Manfredo, who has been the club’s president the past 11 years, said, “This was a great day in history. To be a member of this company is more than special. Everybody made history today, led by our beloved Chief Tommy Bonn.”

Cutlines on your Beacon filed slugged 100-1 etc.

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@C_Cutline:LEGENDARY LINK: Oakland Beach Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tommy Bonn, 95, gets a special hug from Miss Rhode Island Jessica Marfeo during Sunday’s celebration that commemorated the now social club’s 100th anniversary and special tribute to the state’s oldest sitting fire chief.