Life-long member Louis Fiandola of the
Commack Fire Department, who was 95, passed away in his sleep on
April 19,2008, at home. Lou was sharp right to the end. The
first memorial arch in front of Commack Fire Department was
placed with the help of Kings Park Fire Department on Jericho
Turnpike. The Mass was at St Joseph Church in Kings Park. The
second arch was set up leaving the Church, going to Calverton
National Cemetery. Lou was was a department Driver Trainer. One
story goes that some 35 years ago a probie was learning to drive
a 1960 American LaFrance Quint Mid-Mount 100ft aerial ladder,
which has a stick shift. Lou would take new drivers to a hill in
Commack Park and shut it down, and then tell the driver to start
it up and go forward without rolling back so much as an inch.
Nobody did that because Lou was a very good teacher.
-Fire News photos by J.Cirillo
Richard “Rick” Pike, 1947 –
2008
Dedicated,
Conscientious, Good Guy are just a few of the words or
expressions used to describe Rick Pike, who lost his battle with
Leukemia, April 26, 2008.
Rick was born February 27, 1947, and raised in Baldwin, where he
attended local schools, and in 1964 he attended Jacksonville
University in Florida. He met Linda during those years in
Baldwin, and they dated until his joining the U.S. Air Force in
1965.
In 1968, Viet Nam was his destination, and during this stint he
attained the rank of Sergeant. He was Honorably Discharged on
February 28, 1969, and returned to New York, where he got a job
with AT & T and continued his relationship with Linda. They
married in 1971, moved to East Meadow, and were together for 37
years until his passing.
It was this move to East Meadow that put him in touch with the
fire department, and in November 1975 he joined East Meadow. He
was assigned to Engine Company 1 and was very proud of his
membership in this unit. He would not hesitate to talk about his
Engine 1.
In 1978 he became First Lieutenant, Second Lieutenant in 1979,
and Captain in 1980. Another two years had him running for
chief, and in 1982 he was voted in as an Assistant Chief. He
became Chief of Department in 1985. Ten years of service and he
was “The Chief.” Rick was smart, had dedication, and it was this
trait that help to put him at the top.
He stepped down as chief, but the North Bellmore Fire Department
was looking for a District Supervisor, and in 1987 he took the
position. He worked for North Bellmore until 1991, when the
Wantagh Fire District opened applications for a District
Superintendent. On May 1, 1991, he began his career in Wantagh
and continued until February 2004, when he and Linda retired to
Arizona.
When Rick came down with Leukemia, they decided that New York
was the place to go for treatment. It was during this time that
the East Meadow Fire Department held a benefit in an attempt to
find donors to assist in his treatment. Three were found that
were a match, and Rick was looking forward to getting back on
his feet, so much so that he attended Wantagh’s Installation on
April 12, 2008. He looked good, was happy speaking and kidding
with old friends, and was going to beat this terrible disease.
He entered the hospital for treatment, but it was during this
time that complications set in and he lost his battle.
Firefighters had lost a good friend.
Besides his affiliations with East Meadow, Wantagh, and North
Bellmore, Rick was involved with just about every organization
and/or committee.
He was Chief and Instructor at the Nassau County Fire Service
Academy, Treasurer of the Nassau County Association of Fire
Districts, Elected Treasurer of the East Meadow Fire District,
Director of the Scholarship Fund for the Association of Fire
Districts of the State of N.Y., Representative of the NFPA 1500
Committee (a position he continued to hold in Arizona), Member
of the Nassau County Chiefs Association, 6th Battalion Chiefs
Association, and others.
Rick is survived by his wife Linda, a daughter Christen, her
husband Steve, and two grandchildren, Kaitlin and Kassidy, a son
Kevin, his wife Dawn, and one grandchild Hayley and a daughter
Kelly and her husband John.
Rick was waked at the Leo
F. Kearns Funeral Home in East Meadow with a Firematic Service
attended by some 500 firefighters at East Meadow Fire
Headquarters on Tuesday evening, April 29. On Wednesday morning,
Engine 1 carried Richard “Rick” Pike beneath the “Arch of Honor”
as the bell tolled. It was his request that he be cremated and
his remains returned to Arizona.
Provided by Harry Loud
Martin Noguier
Martin Noguier, 57- year member
of the Deer Park Fire Department, answered his last alarm.
Marty, as he liked to be called, died May 3, 2008.
Marty joined the Deer Park Fire Department in
December of 1950. He quickly became involved with the Rescue
Squad, and soon became the coordinator. When Ladder Company 4
was organized in 1971, he was one of the Charter members and
stayed active with the fire police until this past year when a
stroke slowed him down. He enjoyed a round of golf with the
fellows, but never told his score. Marty leaves behind his
beloved wife Rita, son Paul, and numerous grand and great
grandchildren. He will be missed.
Stephen Schaefer
Oldest Hagerman Firefighter
Answers
Last Call
Gene J. Garruppo, the longest living firefighter in the Hagerman
Fire Department, answered his last call on May 11, 2008. He was
86.
In addition to his membership in the fire department for 67
years, Gene Garruppo was a veteran of the U.S. Army, serving his
country honorably in World War II. He was the proprietor of
Gene’s Market in East Patchogue, and a member of the Patchogue
Knights of Columbus #725 for over 50 years.
Mr. Garruppo is survived by his wife Louise; daughters, Maureen
Orlando and her husband John of Bellport, Pamela Garruppo of
Florida, Lisa Boyce and her husband Keith of Center Moriches,
and Maria Chumas and her husband Stephan of Manhasset; sons,
Gene Jr. and his wife Christine of Patchogue, and Bernard and
his wife Maryanne of New Jersey; sisters, Sue Roberts of New
Jersey, Agatha White of Tennessee, and Veronica Luz of East
Patchogue; 14 grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.
A Firematic service was held on Tuesday night at the Lucia &
Orlando Funeral Home, to whom the final arrangements were
entrusted. At the beginning of the service, a U.S. Army
helicopter circled the funeral home three times in a final
tribute to the fallen warrior.
The next day, a funeral Mass was celebrated at St. Joseph the
Worker Church in East Patchogue, followed by interment in
Woodland Cemetery in Bellport.
Bill Miller and Bob Miller
Bill
Miller and Bob Miller grew up as cousins in Central Islip and
served the Central Islip Fire Department in an extraordinary
fashion for over 60 years in various capacities. The news of
their passing within two weeks of each other recently created
great sadness within the CIFD and the Community of Central
Islip, and especially in the Miller family.
The Millers have been an important integral part of Central
Islip Fire Department, as for the entire 102-year history of the
CIFD, at least on member of the family has been an active member
of the Department, a fact that they are justifiably proud of.
William
I. (Bill) Miller joined the CIFD as a member of the Engine &
Hose Company #1 on April 1, 1945, and served as Captain from
1950 to 1952, and later from 1963 to 1964. He briefly served as
an Assistant Chief in 1954 but was called to military duty in
Korea, later returning to the Chief's ranks and eventually
serving as Chief of the Department from 1970 to 1972. He was
elected to the Board of Fire Commissioners in 1973 and remained
on the Board for ten years. Additionally, Bill served as
President of Suffolk County VFA, and both the Islip Town Fire
Chief's Council and the Suffolk Country Fire Chiefs Council, and
served the Community as a member of the Central Islip Board of
Education. Bill was involved in all aspects of the CIFD, and was
a long time member of the "Hoboes" Drill Team. Bill passed away
on Monday, March 24, 2008 having served for 63 years.
Robert P. (Bob) Miller joined the Department as a member of the
Patrol Company on July 17, 1947, left for military duty in
Korea, and later served as Captain of the Company in 1954. He
was then elected as an Assistant Chief and served as Chief of
the Department from 1958 to 1960 (he was the youngest Chief in
the history of the Department being 30 years old when he was
elected as Full Chief). Bob later transferred to Engine & Hose
Company #1, and served as Treasurer for over 30 years. Bob was
also a long time member of the "Hoboes" Drill Team, serving as
Captain in 1962, was Team's first President in 1963, and was a
member of the Team's first New York State Championship, also in
1963. He was a Drill Official for many years and was awarded a
Life Membership in the New York State Parade and Drill Team
Captain's Association. He served as Fire District Treasurer from
1976 to 1986, and later was elected to the Board of Fire
Commissioners serving from 1986 until the time of his passing on
April 7, 2008. He served a total of 61 years as a member of the
Department.
The contributions of Bill and Bob are immeasurable in terms of
their devotion and commitment to the Central Islip Fire
Department. The Department has lost two highly respected and
revered members, and it will be impossible to replace their
leadership, enthusiasm and friendship – they will be greatly
missed. The Officers and Members of the Central Islip Fire
Department extend their heartfelt sympathy to all of the Members
of the Miller Family on the loss of these two true gentlemen.
Karen A. Cotter is Mourned
The Holbrook, North Patchogue, and Holtsville Fire Department
and their respective communities suffered a terrible loss when
long-time Holbrook Fire Department Member Karen Cotter passed
away on May 14, 2008.
Karen was born on December 28, 1969, and grew up in Holbrook.
She is remembered for her dedication to the volunteer fire and
EMS service and for her willingness to cheerfully take on any
task. From training new EMS personnel to keeping the equipment
in safe and working order, Karen always performed
professionally.
Karen always had a smile on her face and a ready and charming
laugh that would light up the room. She was very popular and
well respected by her peers. She also served as a mentor and was
a true inspiration for new members.
Karen joined the Holbrook Fire department in January 1992 and
served in the Department’s Fire Medic Company. She became an
Emergency Medical Technician in 1992 and an EMT-Critical Care
Technician in 2007.
Karen’s career included service with the North Patchogue Fire
District, where she started as a First Responder and Dispatcher
and most recently served as the Dispatch Supervisor. She also
served as an EMS provider with the Holtsville and Sound Beach
Fire Departments and as a Dispatcher with the Smithtown Fire
Department.
Service to the community was a big part of life in Karen’s
family. Her father George Kortlang served in Holbrook Fire
Department’s Lightning Engine Company 1 and Eagle Engine Company
2 and served as Chief of the Department in 1983-1985. Brother
Kevin served with the Lakeland Fire Department and was a member
of the Holbrook’s Eagle Engine Company 2. He currently serves
with Holbrook’s Jupiter 27 Truck Company. Brother George III
serves with Eagle Engine Company 2. Karen’s husband Rob is a
past Chief in the Commack Volunteer Ambulance Corps and
currently serves as EMS Captain for the Holtsville Fire
Department.
Karen was a devoted and loving mother and is survived by her son
Zachary, 8 and daughter Courtney, 6. In addition to her brothers
Kevin and George she is also survived by her brothers Kevin and
George, she is also survived by her sister Ellen.
Karen will be mourned by all who knew her and her loss will be
felt by each of the Departments she served.
