The Mineola Fire Department honored two members last Sunday morning who together have more than a century of service.
Former village of Mineola Trustee John DaVanzo was recognized for 65 years of service and Village of Mineola Trustee Paul Cusato was recognized for 45 years of service, both as members of Engine Co. 1.
DaVanzo, 90, has served as lieutenant and caption of the company. He also served as a fire warden until he was appointed Town of North Hempstead clerk in 1965.
Cusato served as president of the fire company and was also executive secretary for 14 years.
“You think back 65 years and the different things you’ve done and the fires you’ve fought,” DaVanzo said.
DaVanzo said he remembers being the first one to respond to the fire at the Mineola Fire Department years ago.
“The whole ceiling came down,” he said.
DaVanzo said he also recalled a fire one early winter morning when he got to the scene to find the fire-fighting equipment was frozen.
Both men recalled the changes in procedures and equipment over the years.
“At that time, we rode on the back of the trucks. It was a whole different experience,” Cusato said of his early days in the department.
Safety standards require firemen to ride in the cabs of the trucks these days.
The standard life-support and fire-protection equipment firemen wear today were also unfamiliar to these veterans.
DaVanzo recalled one fire when he opened the door of a burning building and was blown back as flames exploded through the door.
Another key difference Cusato recalled was the alarm process in the days before personal communicators.
When he was first a member, Cusato recalled that once an alarm sounded, the first volunteer to reach the firehouse contacted the county police to find out where the fire was and then told the other volunteers when they arrived to respond.
“We didn’t have pagers back then,” he said.
Cusato said he recalls encountering his friend Joe Sellitto Jr., DaVanzo’s nephew, in a Mineola Fire Department jacket and asked him about joining.
“I always wanted to be a fireman,” Cusato said.
DaVanzo said he remembers sneaking into the firehouse as a young man to shoot pool with friends who were members “and eventually I got involved,” he said.
An active member for more than 50 years, DaVanzo wears the watch he was given for 30 years of service and the ring he earned for 40 years of service. His award for 50 years of service was a bit larger.
“I got a snowblower,” he recalled.
Both men were introduced with terms of respect by Andrew Marotta, Engine Co. 1 captain. He presented Cusato with a plaque, but said the company decided DaVanzo – who is known to many as Mr. Mineola – probably didn’t need another plaque, so they gave him a restaurant gift certificate instead.
“It’s a second family,” Cusato said. “What’s amazing is when the alarm goes off, everybody stops what they’re doing. It’s a feeling of pride that everyone helps out the community.”
A 20-year veteran of the engine company, Kenny Cotroneo, was also honored at the breakfast ceremony.
“I always wanted to be a fireman,” Cotroneo said. “It’s nice to part of it and volunteer my time to the community.”
