Members of the North Massapequa Fire Department, led by Chief of Department Mark Frascella paid a birthday visit to 66-year member Jack Pokress on his 102nd birthday at the NY State Veterans Home. Pokress is a member of Friendship Engine Company 3 and a former commissioner of the North Massapequa Fire District. As a US Army World War II veteran Pokress served with the famed Merrill’s Marauders on its campaign through Burma to recapture Japanese held territory.
In addition to his service to North Massapequa, Jack Pokress also served as president of the Association of Fire Districts of Nassau County and president of the South Shore Volunteer Fire Departments Association and the Long Island Legislative Committee.
Greeting Jack is Angelo Piccolo, also a 66-year member, who was sworn in to the department the same day. The current longest serving members of the department are Jack Pokress, Angelo Piccolo (66 years) and Bill Gruener (60 years).
– Fire News photos by Dave Pokress
