Local 2687's Annual Retirement Dinner
A Sampler of Memories
|
Four members of the Connecticut Firefighters Pipes and Drums opened the evening's festivities. From left to right, they are HFD Captain Ed Evers, HFD Lieut. Mike Dowling, Ken Blake of the Ansonia Fire Dept. on snare drum, and Ryan Paretti of the Manchester Fire Dept on bass drum.
|
 |
| As always, Local 2687 Vice-president Dave Beaton did an outstanding job emceeing the affair. |
|
|
Firefighter Maurice "Jay" Connolly
| Chief David A. Berardesca
|
Local 2687 President Kurt Vogt presents Jay with a framed certificate from the local honoring his 38 years of service. When a long-standing tradition was restored several years ago, Jay was presented with Badge No. 1, as the department's most senior Firefighter. Indeed, Jay Connolly was most senior of all department personnel. (Firefighter Vogt now holds Badge No. 1)
| Chief Gary Merwede congratulates his predecessor, retired Chief David Berardesca, who holds the retirement certificate from Local 2687, presented to him earlier by local President Kurt Vogt. In his remarks, Chief Berardesca expressed sincere thanks and praise to the personnel of the department he led for twelve years.
|
 |
| Jay is presented with a framed certificate from Local 2687 President Kurt Vogt and V.P. Dave Beaton acknowledging his retirement and 38 years of service. |
|
|
 |
| Jay and friend |
|
|
 |
| Chief Berardesca with former secretary Karyn Coppola and Ted Stockmon. |
|
|
 |
| Commissioner Oswald Brown, Chief Gary Merwede, Mayor Curt Leng, Commissioners Henry Candido, Jim O'Brien, and Eric Curtis |
|
|
 |
| Rev. Owen Sanderson, Austin "Augie" Williams, and Bob Mordecai |
|
|
 |
| Shirley and Harold Mangler |
|
|
 |
| Doreen DiCrosta and her mom, Peggy Doiron |
|
|
 |
| Ruth and Lenny Lye with Chick Manware |
|
|
 |
| Donny Buechele and Christine Wilson |
|
|
 |
| Former Chief Jim Leddy with Danny Murphy and Paul "Froggy" Frodel |
|
|
 |
| Donny Buechele and Johnny O'Dea |
|
|
 |
| Jeff and Priscilla Pechmann |
|
|
 |
| Debbie and former Asst. Chief Bob Surprise |
|
|
 |
| Retirees Mike DiStefano and Dave Proulx, two good guys who continue to serve in the fire service. Mike is in The Villages in Florida and Dave is nearby in Naugatuck. Be safe, guys! |
|
|
 |
| Katherine and Sam DeBurra |
|
|
 |
| Sarah Lam and Kevin Delaney |
|
|
 |
| Two HFD legends, retired chief's secretary Jeanine Aceto and Jay. Jeanine's son, Sgt. Antonio Aceto, is deployed until next November with the U.S. Army in a faraway place, Please keep him and his mom in your thoughts and prayers. |
|
|
 |
| Adam Barletta and Elizabeth Caiafo |
|
|
 |
| Kurt Vogt, Dave Beaton, Bill Fitzmaurice, Ron Desroches, Paul Turner, and their ladies |
|
|
 |
| Commissioner and Mrs. Oswald "Ozzie" Brown |
|
|
 |
| Betty and Tony "Moonman" Melillo |
|
|
 |
| Dinner Chairman Kevin Recca and Angela Lea |
|
|
 |
| Dave and Jaime Wood |
|
|
 |
| Carol and Jim Lafond |
|
|
 |
| Angela and Mike Mordecai |
|
|
 |
| Jim and Debbie Dunlop |
|
|
 |
| Mike and Katie Murray |
|
|
 |
| Nelson Hwang |
|
|
 |
| The Hair Club |
|
|
 |
| Bob Slater and Tom Doherty |
|
|
 |
| Firefighter Davis, B/C Bill Fitzmaurice (Ret.), and B/C Ron Desroches |
|
|
 |
| Kevin P. Martin and Kallie |
|
|
 |
| Retirement Badge |
|
|
 |
| CLICK TO ENLARGE |
|
|
Chief Berardesca was presented with this retirement badge and both of the retirees received framed certificates of recognition of their retirements from the Professional Fire Fighters of Hamden, Local 2687 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.
|
|
