LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commending Firefighter Louis J. Pasquarell Sr.
upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition after 75
years of dedicated service to the Jonesville Fire Department

WHEREAS, The firefighters of New York State are renowned throughout the
Nation; their reputation is synonymous with excellence in the arduous
field of fire protection and prevention; and
WHEREAS, Since the early days of "teapot steamers," the volunteer
firefighter has been the cornerstone of our great Nation's efforts to
spare us from the ravages of fire; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is proud to commend Firefighter Louis
J. Pasquarell Sr. upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 75 years of dedicated service to the Jonesville Fire
Department, celebrated on Saturday, February 11, 2012, at The Vista
Restaurant at Van Patten Golf Course; and
WHEREAS, Born in the Clifton Park hamlet of Ushers, New York, Louis J.
Pasquarell Sr. attended a one-room school there before going to Mechan-
icville High School; and
WHEREAS, Louis J. Pasquarell Sr. worked at the Watervliet Arsenal, and
in 1943, enlisted to honorably serve his country as a member of the
United States Army; and
WHEREAS, On D-Day, Louis J. Pasquarell Sr. was stationed in England
and still recalls the hundreds of Allied planes taking off for the
Normandy Invasion; and
WHEREAS, Returning home, Louis J. Pasquarell Sr. ran his own auto
garage and spent many years as a plumber and steamfitter; throughout, he
always made time for the Jonesville Fire Department; and
WHEREAS, Louis J. Pasquarell Sr. started at the department in 1936,
when the company had 17 members and there were no water lines; with only
a 500-gallon tanker truck, the company was forced to draw water from a
nearby creek when the tanker ran out; and
WHEREAS, Today, the department has 90 members and two stations; its
main state-of-the-art facility is in stark contrast to the company's
humble beginnings in 1919, when there were only five members and a two-
wheeled cart that firemen pulled to a fire; and
WHEREAS, After 75 years of distinguished service, 97-year-old Louis J.
Pasquarell Sr. continues to be active in the Jonesville Fire Department;
and
WHEREAS, Louis J. Pasquarell Sr.'s commitment to community service has
been mirrored by his wife of 60 years, Sophia, who was recognized with
her husband at the February 11, 2012, event for her tireless contrib-
utions to her community; and
WHEREAS, In addition, Louis S. Pasquarell Sr.'s son, Louis Jr., has
served as Chief of the Jonesville Fire Department for the past 18 years,
proudly carrying on his father's legacy; and
WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters and fire departments not only provide
the critical service of fire protection but also engage in other activ-
ities of great benefit and importance to the communities they serve; and
WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help others
and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with family
and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need; Louis
J. Pasquarell Sr. is such a firefighter; throughout 75 years of devoted
service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond the call
of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Firefighter Louis J. Pasquarell Sr. for 75 years of distin-
guished service; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to Louis J. Pasquarell Sr.