53-year Merrick F.D. volunteer dies at 71

Jeffrey B. Wortmann, a 53-year volunteer for the Merrick Fire Department who trained many of the department’s current leaders, died on Nov. 22 after a long illness. Wortmann, who had been named an honorary chief of the department, was 71.

The Merrick Fire Department held a funeral service, with full departmental honors, on Nov. 25 at Empire Hose Company No. 3 on Merrick Avenue, where an oversized American flag was displayed over the street between the firehouse and the Merrick Public Library in tribute to Wortmann.

Merrick firefighters, most in their dress blues, others in their firefighting turnout gear, were on hand, along with members of the New York City Police Department.

Wortmann served honorably in the U.S. Navy from Sept. 28, 1962, to Sept. 26, 1966. He went on to become a decorated member of the New York City Transit Police, which existed for more than 40 years before it was folded into the NYPD in 1995.

“He was a staple of the Merrick Fire Department,” said Ron Luparello, the department spokesman and a former chief, who was trained by Wortmann. “He was so well-respected by everyone in the department. He taught us a lot. He was very experienced.”

Wortmann is survived by his wife, Florence (nee Thompson); a daughter, Desiree Helbock and her husband, Andrew; two sons, Stephen Wortmann and his wife, Abigail, and Richard Wortmann and his wife, Lisa; a brother, Stephen Wortmann; and grandchildren Jessica and Gunner Helbock, and Jeffrey, Raymond and Rebecca Wortmann. He was predeceased by his sister, Nancy Wagner.

Burial was at Calverton National Cemetery. N.F. Walker Funeral Home in Merrick made the arrangements.