By Tiffany Razzano
John Husser, an ex-fire chief who was active in the Rockville Centre community, died at home at age 55 on June 27, 2005. He suffered a massive heart attack after responding to three alarms in a single day. He was a 35-year member of the fire department, serving with Alert Engine Company No. 2.
The outing is being organized by Husser's brother and sister, Jim and Jane Husser, as well as his children, John and Jennifer. The event will feature everything Husser enjoyed, according to his brother. "What he loved to do was listen to doo-wop, sit at the bar, drink diet coke and play golf," said Jim. A DJ will be playing doo-wop music throughout the night.
Husser also loved Harley Davidsons, according to his brother, and dreamed of owning one most of his life, though he never actually bought one. Jim bought one to serve as a prize if anyone shoots a hole-in-one.
Aside from his career with the fire department, Husser, who grew up with his family in Oceanside, spent 34 years working for KeySpan. He started out in customer service, fixing boilers. He retired 16 months before his death. Many of his co-workers, as well as members of the fire department, will attend the golf outing and the dinner.
Charlie Jaeger, an ex-chief still involved with Alert Engine Company No. 2, remembered Husser as a good friend, "extremely active" and "a very good fireman." "He would do anything for anybody," said Jaeger, who served as a second lieutenant when Husser was captain. The two signed up for the fire department on the same day, Sept. 9, 1969. "It's going to be quite a turnout in his honor and memory," Jaeger said.
So far, about 130 golfers have signed up, and about 200 people are expected at the dinner. The proceeds will be donated to the Long Island Burn Center in East Meadow. "Between KeySpan and the fire department," said Jim Husser, "this charity covers both of [John's] passions.
"It should definitely be fun," he continued. "It's going to be a beautiful day. So we'll all smash the little bally and remember John."
For information on the event, contact Jane Husser at (516) 766-3287 (daytime) or 378-3692 (evening).
