By NANCY HILER
"Jake was responsible for the building of the pump house at the Four Towns Training Center," a fire department spokeswoman said. "We thought it fitting that the pump house be dedicated to his loving memory because Jake continued to maintain the building until his passing."
Moelius died in March, less than a month shy of his 94th birthday, after 70 years of active service in the department, the longest in its history. "Quite commonly members with many years of service are referred to as being active, but in Jake's case it was an absolute truth," a North Bellmore spokesman said at the time.
"Seeing Jake well into his late 80s holding traffic at Jerusalem Avenue and Newbridge Road so that a responding apparatus could safely pass is a vivid memory to this day," one firefighter commented.
He was still responding to alarms when he was in his 80s and often visited the firehouse on Newbridge Road (Smithville Hook, Ladder, and Engine Company No. 1 or Smithville South) when he was in his 90s, and served as an inspiration to many younger firefighters over the years.
North Bellmore firefighters and officers, members of Moelius' family, and the Rinky Dinks Drill Team were on hand to honor Moelius at the dedication ceremony, held in August. The pump station is used for training by the North Bellmore, Bellmore, North Merrick and Merrick fire departments.
Comments about this story? Nhiler@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 234.
