By Mary Malloy
Amid dignitaries, fellow firefighters, friends and relatives, the men accepted numerous awards and citations, including messages from President Bush, Sens. Charles Schumer and Hillary Clinton, Rep. Carolyn McCarthy, Gov. George Pataki and other officials. Local dignitaries as well as past and present ERFD fire chiefs also made presentations.
Furciato served in the Navy in World War II, and saw combat on the island invasions of Ishema and Okinawa. After the war, he moved to Bay Park in 1947. He and his wife, Dottie, had three daughters, Linda, Teresa and Donna. Furciato was sworn into the ERFD as a probationary firefighter on February 24, 1956. For many years he attended every course that was available to him at the Nassau County Fire Academy, and he responded to many of the biggest fires to which the department has responded during his 50 years of service, including the White Cannon nightclub fire, the Bypass restaurant fire, the Woolworth's fire and the Five Corners fire in Lynbrook.
Furciato also has served on many committees that have helped make the department operate more effectively. He has been both a junior and senior warden on the Fire Council for a number of terms. Additionally, he served ERFD Inc. as president, vice president and trustee.
A department statement read, "Chief Joe has always been a hard-working man, and he is a great family man, father, grandfather and now, great-grandfather. Unfortunately, Dottie passed away about 15 years ago, but Joe is now kept very busy with his eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He is a friend to all, always has a good word about everybody and is a role model for all firefighters who follow in his footsteps."
Miller joined East Rockaway Hose Company #1 in 1955 and rose through the ranks. He served as captain in 1961-1962, and went on to serve as a warden on the department Fire Council. He was president of Hose Company #1 Inc. for three terms. In 1970 the company formed a committee to obtain a new fire truck, and Miller got involved. By 1971 he had an opportunity to sell American La France fire trucks part-time, which led to a second career - a long and legendary one - in custom fire truck sales and service, for which Miller is well known.
Eventually Miller worked for Firematic Supply selling fire trucks, and got involved in the design, fabrication, sales, and repair of the trucks throughout Nassau and Suffolk counties. He has assisted all the companies and departments in both counties. Members of many fire departments will attest that Miller's fire truck knowledge is legendary.
He presently serves the Vigilant Engine Company on the "rehab" truck committee, which is looking to upgrade and extend the life of the 1993 Pierce pumper.
Miller married his wife, Lois, married since 1960, have three children, James, Jennifer and Andrew, and four grandchildren. Joe recently retired to spend more time with his wife and family, and also to travel. He volunteers one day a week at the Cradle of Aviation Museum at Mitchel Field.
"Joe will always tell you that the best thing for him in the fire service was all the guys he met. He is truly a man's man and a fireman's fireman," said a fire department spokesperson.
Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
