Ambulance Requested for removal....

Richard Vyse

Richard Vyse

I meet with a family yesterday afternoon at the Hopice Center discussing options. At the end of the arrangement the wife asked if I would use one of my ambulances when the time came to pick her husband up. I would be honored.

George was a part-time employee of the Holiday Inn working for me for 10 years and retired Cadillac in Detroit. We held many conversations about old cars and he loved my old ambulances.

It will be a sad day.
 
Seems fitting that a retired Cadillac employee and old car lover receive a removal ride in one of your fine vintage Cadillac ambulances.

Sure, it will be a sad day, but what an honor. Great job Richard! :thumb:
 
I forgot to mention, George beleives he may have actually worked on the engines of these cars. From 1972 until 1976 George was involved in the engine department of Cadillac so there may be a good chance he was.
 
Ambulances used for removals

from the time i started working on ambulances in the mid 60's up untill the late 80's we did removals for lots of the local funeral homes.They felt it was a better image to use an ambulance,uniformed crew,etc. we also functioned as the coroner's ambulance for many years. what an honor to be requested to perform this task! how i long for the old days:specool:
 
Back in the day we did removals for all of the funeral homes. I remember we were supposed to use a combination and wear a sport coat and tie for a house call and would use the regular unit and uniform for every where else.
 
A Honor & Priviledge, your a good man.

To, Richard Vyse & Denny Shira.
Yes my friends, there was a day our beautiful ambulances of yesterday once graced our streets in all their beauty, providing a most dignified service to the living and those who had passed on. A wonderful and great honor Richard to be called upon to do this final wish for your friend. I too once provided this special service to a very close friend and loved one, my grandfather. He loved our 1976 Superior Ambulance and when the day came, my father and I provided " Pop " his final ride in his favorite ambulance our 76 Superior cadillac. What and honor to give a man who gave so much in life, something as small as his final ride number one and to have also done this with my father made it that more special.
To Denny Shira, I too miss the " OLD DAYS " but I have great memories.:thumb:
 
Ron Devies said:
Back in the day we did removals for all of the funeral homes. I remember we were supposed to use a combination and wear a sport coat and tie for a house call and would use the regular unit and uniform for every where else.
Click to expand...

When I was working at the former Chapman Funeral Home we wore a suit for all of our removals regardless of where it was or if family was going to be there. Seemed fitting to me.
 
Danny, it was the same here also. The combo was used for removals, there was no question as to what to wear, it was a suit. We even had to wear a suit anytime driving the hearse. This included getting fuel, taking the hearse to the garage for service etc, the only person to drive the hearse without a suit was the mechanic or the guys washing the car. Just having your suit coat with you did not cut it, it had to be on and the tie pulled up. If we made a removal in the rain then we had to wash the car as soon as the streets dried so we would be ready for the next call. Its funny how 30 years ago I would roll my eyes at these things and now I think they are important and sometimes my guys do the eyerolling today. I do allow the hearse to be driven with out a suit for getting fuel etc, but I also insist on suits for removals and to and from funerals as well. Keeping the hearse clean goes with out saying still today.
 
when my mom died in 1965, three days after my 9th birthday, I remember the shiny red & white 1964 Cadillac Ambulance at the house to take her away. However I don't recall what the attendants wore but it was probably their white uniforms since it was a volunteer ambulance corp. Three years ago when my best friend Wade died, the 2 people from the funeral home arrived and were dressed in suits. OK, the female wasn't in a suit like a man, but it was appropriate female business attire. The only thing that was "different" was that they were using a mini van for the removal. If you're trying to be discreet, why use a mini van with the Funeral Home logo and name on the doors? The manager of my friends apartment saw the van and of course just had to call the FH to find out who died. I liked their response though. They told her that "they weren't at liberty to divulge that info but they would ask the family to contact them"
 
Well it's done. My buddy George died today and as requested I used the Criterion to pick him up. He died at a Hospice facility. The family was waiting anxious to get a look at George's last ride. They stepped out of the room and waited by the Criterion as I placed George on the cot talking to him all the while. When bringing him out the Hospice staff followed and told me the family said I would be picking him up in a vintage Cadillac ambulance which they had to see. It was quite the show and a great moment shared by all.

Rest in Peace my friend, you will be missed.
 
That's very cool. It makes a sad day a little easier, knowing that he got something he wanted and something unique. Good for you for doing that.

When I ran ambulance in western PA in the '80's, our volunteer ambulance squad used to do some removals. When the funeral homes in town turned over ambulance services to our squad (run by the VFW Post), the agreement was that the ambulances would remain available for removals at the request of the funeral homes. By the time I was there, only one FH continued to take advantage of that agreement, and only at night. So, from time to time, the 911 center would call and dispatch us on a removal call. We just did the call in our uniform, and since our town was small, it seldom took more than a half hour to do. Nobody objected, it was just one of those things you do.
 
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