GORDON MADDEN SR. – WANTAGH FIREFIGHTER
BY Harry Loud
Gordon Madden Sr. a 32-year member of the Wantagh Fire Department passed on July 9, 2010 after loosing his long battle with cancer.
“Gordy” as he was affectionately known joined the fire department on April 30, 1962 and was assigned to the Floodlight/Salvage Unit. In just four short years he attained the rank of Lieutenant and held that rank for three years whereby he was elected as Captain, a position he held for an additional four years.
In 1971 he had to resign from the department due to a job conflict but some five months later was reinstated and reassigned to Floodlight/Salvage. He continued in that capacity until 1974 and once again resigned due to his work schedule. Never waning in his desire to be a firefighter, Gordy returned some 16-years later and on September 24, 1990 he was reassigned to Squad 1. He faithfully served the department and community for the next 20-years until his demise.
Gordy was a valued asset to the department due to his living so close to the firehouse. He usually was one of the first to arrive and as he drove a truck for a living, driving Rescue 1 was no problem. He on more occasions then can be counted was the primary driver for that unit.
In 2005 he was honored for his 25-years of service to the department at the Annual Installation of Officers and again at Company #1’s “Old Timers Dinner”. He was a member of the Volunteer and Exempt Firemen’s Benevolent Association of Wantagh and served as President of the 100th Anniversary Dinner Committee of the Wantagh Fire Department which was celebrated in 1999.
Gordy was born in Uniondale, N.Y. and raised in Freeport, N.Y. where he attended that communities local schools. In the late 1940’s his country called and Gordy joined the U.S. Navy. It was during this time that he met his wife of 60-years, Esther. She was vacationing in New York from Gary, Indiana and met Gordy while he was on leave from the Navy.
They married in 1949 in St.Johns Lutheran Church in Merrick and eventually settled in Wantagh. Gordy took a job with the U.S.Postal Service delivering mail, a job from which he eventually retired and then took a job with a trucking firm.
During this time they raised three children Frederick, Arlene and Gordon Jr. Gordon Jr, was known as “Skippy” and he to became a member of the Wantagh Fire Department.
A Firematic Service was held for Gordy at O’Sheas Funeral Home, Sunday evening, July 11, 2010 followed by internment in Calverton National Cemetery on July 12.
Gordon Madden Sr. is survived by his wife Esther, a son Frederick of Brewster, N.Y., a daughter Arlene Peterson of West Babylon, N.Y. and a son Gordon Jr. of Wantagh along with six-grandchildren and two-great grandchildren.
Stephen R. “Dick” Doty has answered his last alarm
It is with deep regret that the Chiefs office of the Islip Terrace Fire Department announced that on July 4, 2010, Ex-Chief and 52-year member of the Islip Terrace Fire Department Stephen R. “Dick” Doty has answered his last alarm. Ex-Chief Doty was about as dedicated as a volunteer could come. “Dick” was adored by the entire department, whether it be his war stories from times before many of the members were even born, a joke or two, or an insightful view from his perspective of the service. He got along with everyone who walked through the doors of the firehouse.
Ex-Chief Doty joined the department July 3, 1958, entering Engine Company 3. He quickly proved that he was a loyal and dedicated member of the department, aspiring to Lieutenant just three years after his entry to the department. Ex-Chief Doty served as Lieutenant of Engine Company 3 from 1961-1963. After his term as Lieutenant, he then took the next step and was elected Captain of Engine Company 3, serving from 1963-1965. Finishing his terms in the company office, Ex-Chief Doty was elected as 2nd Assistant Chief of the Department, in which he served from 1965-1967. Ex-Chief Doty then was elected to serve as 1st Assistant Chief from 1967-1969. Fallowing his term as 1st Assistant Chief, Ex-Chief Stephen Doty was elected as the Chief of the Department, the highest rank obtainable in the department. He loyally served as Chief of the Department from 1969-1971.
Ex-Chief Doty not only served as fire chief but also had many other great achievements in his life. He was a US Army Veteran, an accomplished stock car driver, a member of the Schlagers drill team, as well as a member of the Islip town fire chiefs’ council.
Stephen Dick Doty will not only be missed by his brothers in the fire department but also by the large family that he left behind. He was the beloved husband of 57 years to Audrey J. Doty, loving father of Sharon A. Allen, Richard R. and Patti Doty, Stephen R. III and Catherine Doty, Debra A. O'Brien, Dean A. and Liz Doty, Donna A. and Kenny Izzo; cherished grandfather of 14; adored great-grandfather of eight; and the dear brother of Pearl and Thomas Rhodes, Madeline and Frank Tucker, and the late Edward Doty.
Stephen Doty was truly a legend within the Islip Terrace Fire Department. His legacy will truly live on with the members who currently serve the department.
Fire News photos by Jared Gunst
Ree Huber, 1938-2010
It is with deep regret that the Centereach Fire Department announces the passing on August 10, 2010 of Rosemarie “Ree” Huber, Ex-Captain of Ambulance Company and wife of Ex-Chief and Past Commissioner Chris Huber. Ree joined the Centereach Fire Department in August of 1976, when the Ambulance Company was formed, becoming one of the first women to become an active member of the Department. Prior to becoming a member, she was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. Ree was very eager to become a member and enjoyed helping her community as an EMT; she was also one of the first EMT-CC’s in the Dept. She served until 1988, when she resigned. Ree returned in 1990 and went on to serve as Lieutenant of the ambulance company on several occasions, and became Captain in 1994. When the Ambulance Company merged with all other Companies in 1995, she became a member of Emergency Company (now Rescue Company) alongside her husband Chris. Ree continued to serve until she resigned in 2000. The Chiefs, officers, and members are saddened by our loss. Ree was not only a matriarch of the Ambulance Company, but to all our female members.
Provided by Ron Monteleone
