A tragic loss occurred to the Varese and
Northport Fire Department families when Charles J. “Chuck”
Varese was killed in a motor vehicle accident on April 15. Chuck
was driving his motorcycle to work on Route 25A in Centerport,
when a car traveling in the opposite lane crossed over into his
lane and struck him head-on. Sadly, Chuck's life was taken
instantly. The driver of the car was arrested by Suffolk Police
for "driving while ability impaired by drugs."
The Varese Family represents the fabric of the volunteer fire
service on Long Island with their dedication to service, family,
community and honor. Chuck is the son of Northport FD Chief
Robert "Beefy" Varese, Jr., and Firefighter/EMT-CC Lorri Varese,
brother of Firefighter William Varese and nephew of Centerport
FD Chief James Varese (Beefy’s brother.) Chuck's grandfather
Robert Varese, Sr., was a former member of the Northport FD and
the upstate Pompey Hill FD. His uncle Harry Acker (Lorri’s
brother) is a Centerport FD Commissioner. Dad "Beefy" is also a
retired member of the F.D.N.Y., having served with Ladder
Company 106 in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Following in the footsteps of his proud family, Chuck joined the
Northport Fire Department as a Smokeater (junior firefighter) in
September of 1988. During his short 2-1/2 year term, Chuck had
quickly gained the trust of his peers and was elected Lieutenant
of the Smokeaters. Upon reaching the age of 18, Chuck was
transferred to active membership in the Northport FD, and was
assigned to the Hook & Ladder Company to join his father and
mother.
In 2004, Chuck was awarded the Northport FD Medal for
Meritorious Action, in recognition of his heroic actions during
a fire at the Northport Harbor Delicatessen. Late in the evening
of December 17, 2003 while walking on Main Street with his best
friend Tony Guido, Chuck noticed that the deli was fully
involved in fire. As Tony ran to the firehouse to report the
fire, Chuck immediately ran into the three-story, smoke-filled
building. Without the benefit of protective gear he climbed to
the floors above the deli and began to knock on apartment doors
to wake the residents until all were safely evacuated. At the
installation dinner, Proud Dad "Beefy" presented the medal to
Chuck as the newly elected Second Assistant Chief at the time.
Chuck's first ride into life began in a Northport Fire
Department ambulance, after Lorri Varese went into labor at home
on February 24, 1983. It was too late to get her to the
hospital, so Northport Police Officer Paul Latuso and fellow
firefighters John Michels and Bill Marsden assisted with the
birth of Charles on the couch at the Varese home. Both Mom and
her newborn son were transported to Huntington Hospital by
Northport Rescue ambulance.
In addition to his parents, Chuck is survived by his sister
Rebecca “Becky,” brothers Firefighter William "Willy" Varese and
former junior firefighter Robert Varese, and his loving niece
and Goddaughter Samantha. The cherished grandson of Evelyn
Varese and Robert Varese, Sr. and his wife Mary. Nephew of
Joanne Dawson (Charles), Suzanne French (Wayne), Chief James
Varese (Leigh Ann), Donna Koch, Scott Varese, Harry Acker
(Virginia), Dale Acker, and Paula Hansen (Artie). Fond cousin of
Megan, Michael, Brian, Jamie, Doug, Gregory, Andrew, Patrick,
Nicole, Adam, Tyler, Christopher, Dale, Kellie, Joey and Amanda.
An outpouring of support from fellow firefighters, family,
friends and the community attended the memorial service held
Friday evening, April 18, at the Nolan & Taylor-Howe Funeral
Home in Northport, and the funeral service held Saturday, April
19, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in East Northport. The prayer
service was given by Pastor Bruce Kaifler with the Eulogy by
Northport FD Chaplain Paul Latuso. Tony Guido delivered the
Eulogy at the funeral service.
Chief James Varese’s sister Joann Dawson asked him, “How do you
think most people handle this situation?” James answered, “They
have the love and support of their families. Our family just
happens to be a lot larger then most.”
In Chuck's memory, donations to St. Baldrick's Foundation, 1443
E. Washington Blvd. #650, Pasadena, CA 91104-2650, or the
Suffolk County Volunteer Firefighters Burn Center Fund, P.O. Box
1123, Setauket, NY 11733, would be appreciated.
Charles "Chuck" Varese, second from left, is
awarded the Northport Fire Department's Meritorious Action Medal
in 2004. His proud dad Robert "Beefy" Varese, who was the newly
elected 2nd Assistant Chief at the time, is seen at left. Also
pictured are then-Chief Larry Wine, second from right, and First
Assistant Chief Artie Gerow, right. Late in the evening while on
Main Street in Northport Village, Chuck had noticed that the
Northport Harbor Delicatessen was fully involved on fire. He
immediately entered the three story, smoke-filled building and
began to knock on the apartment doors above the deli until all
residents were safely evacuated. Chuck was awarded the
Meritorious Action Medal for his heroic actions.
-Text and Photos by Steve Silverman
