Senate Resolution No. 5043

BY: Senator PHILLIPS

COMMENDING ex-Captain William O'Connell upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 50 years of dedicated service to Truck Company
2, of the Mineola Fire Department

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and their selfless
dedication merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great
country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend ex-Captain
William O'Connell upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 50 years of dedicated service to Truck Company 2, of
the Mineola Fire Department to be celebrated at an event on Saturday,
May 19, 2018, at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury, New York; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, Ever since he was a young child, William O'Connell knew he
wanted to be a firefighter when he grew up; shortly after he joined the
Mineola Fire Department, he was drafted into the United States Armed
Forces; and

WHEREAS, William O'Connell proudly served his country as a member of
the United States Air Force; in January of 1968, he completed basic
training in Texas and underwent specialized training in hydraulics; for
the next three years, he was stationed in Spain, where he met his wife,
Deb, in 1972; and

WHEREAS, On April 1, 1973, William and Deb were married at St.
Aidan's Church in Williston, New York; shortly thereafter, William was
deployed back to service; he eventually retired with the rank of E-5
Staff Sergeant; and

WHEREAS, Upon the completion of his military service, William
O'Connell returned to Mineola to pursue his longtime goal of becoming a
career firefighter; after taking many tests at Grumman, he worked as a
United States Postal Service Letter Carrier in New Hyde Park, New York,
from 1974-1984; and

WHEREAS, In 1984, William O'Connell's dream came to fruition when he
became a New York City Firefighter; he was assigned to Ladder 150, the
"Hollis Hogs" from 1984-1998, and then to Ladder 133, where he served
from 1998-2001; he finished his career with Squad 270 in 2003; and


WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, William O'Connell has served "The
Workhorse Company" in various capacities including Financial Secretary,
and member of various Truck Committees; he rose through the ranks of
Truck Company 2 to serve as Lieutenant, and led the company from
1990-1992, as Captain; and

WHEREAS, In addition to his role as Captain, William O'Connell was a
kind and considerate man who not only served on the Sick Committee, but
also assisted members and their families during difficult times; and

WHEREAS, With him throughout have been his wife, Deb; their two
children, Allison and Sean; and their two grandchildren, Jaret and Alex,
all of whom have shown him love and support and rejoice in his many
achievements; 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;
ex-Captain William O'Connell was such a firefighter; throughout 50 years
of devoted service, this firefighter 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 ex-Captain William O'Connell upon the occasion of his
designation for special recognition after 50 years of dedicated service
to the Truck Company 2, of the Mineola Fire Department; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to ex-Captain William O'Connell.