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Northport Firefighter Charles J. "Chuck" Varese, 25, Mourned

 

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


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