NIVEN

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, August 10, 2013 at 07:29:18 :

Independent Journal
January 3, 1978
Page 1

Larkspur fire truck flips, killing volunteer

The 43-year-old president of the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce was killed Monday when the 17 ton fire truck he was riding in over turned and crushed him. Another man was injured.

Jim Niven, a lifelong Larkspur resident and a volunteer fireman for 15 years was riding in the passenger side of the open-cab truck when it veered out of control at 12:39 p.m. He was one of six men responding to a minor fire in the laundry room of the Greenbrae Convalescent Hospital.

The driver of the truck, 59-year-old Irvin B. Wilson of Larkspur, a 24 year veteran of the department, said he was driving northbound on Magnolia Avenue between 30 and 35 mph when the truck just wouldn’t straighten out at a curve and veered to the left.

The truck ran up an embankment on the other side of the road near the old Escalle winery throwing off the four men riding on the tail of the truck but pinning Nevin (sic) underneath the wreckage. Wilson, the only other man hurt in the accident, suffered several broken ribs.

Wilson and several of the other firemen on the truck said they heard a loud noise just before the crash. The possibility the accident may have been caused by a blown tire will be part of an investigation by the California Highway Patrol according to CHP Sgt. James Dukes.

Dukes said the highway patrol also would be investigating the possibility Wilson was driving too fast for conditions.

The $60,000 truck was damaged beyond repair, Larkspur City Manager Harlan Barry said today. Barry said the fire at the Greenbrae Convalescent Hospital did an estimated $400 damage and was put out by other Larkspur units and one from Kentfield.

Niven was the owner of Niven Nursery, a wholesale florist firm founded by his grandfather.

He attended Larkspur-Corte Madera School and Tamalpais High School. He later served in the Navy.

In addition to being active with the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce, Niven was a member and past president of the Larkspur Lions Club and the Larkspur Association of Volunteer Firemen.

A man like Jim will be impossible to replace, said Barry. He was a great asset to the town.

Niven is survived by his wife, Lorraine J. Niven of Larkspur, his mother, Inez Niven of Larkspur and a sister, Joann Niven of Larkspur.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Larkspur. The Rosary will be recited Wednesday at 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church. Private entombment will be at Mount Olivet Cemetery in San Rafael.

Friends may call at Williams and Heffernan Mortuary in San Rafael after 10 a.m. Wednesday.

Wednesday’s scheduled Larkspur City Council meeting will be canceled, according to City Manager Barry.

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Independent Journal
January 4, 1978
Page 4

NIVEN – In Larkspur, Jan. 2, 1978, Jim Niven, beloved husband of Lorraine J. Niven, loving father of Cynthia and Patricia Niven of Larkspur, beloved son of Inez Niven of Larkspur and loving brother of Joann Niven of Larkspur. A native of Larkspur, Calif., aged 44 years. President of the Larkspur Chamber of Commerce, past president of the Larkspur Lions Club and Larkspur Association of Volunteer Firemen and California State Firemen Association and on the board of governors of Roses Inc.

Friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, Jan. 5, 1978, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, Larkspur.