By Mary Malloy
Festa was a Lynbrook village employee for 18 years, working in the Department of Public Works.
"He was always very jovial, "said DPW Superintendent Phil Healy. "He always had a smile on his face. There are challenges with this job, but he was always a pleasure to deal with. It was my pleasure to know him. He had concern for the community he live in a nd grew up in. This is a loss that we all feel."
Festa was a 45-year veteran of the Lynbrook Fire Department, starting his career with Vulcan Chemical & Hose Company in 1961. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After completing his military duty, he returned to the fire department and became 2nd Lieutenant in 1968, 1st Lieutenant in 1970 and Captain in 1972. He continued to serve the department is various positions, including acting 1st Lieutenant in 1986, Warden from 1989 to 1991, and as a member of Vulcan's Board of Trustees. In 1978 he was elected 3rd Assistant Chief, and then eventually Chief of the Department from 1981 to 1982.
Festa became a delegate from the department to the 4th Battalion, and became the Chairman of the Battalion and a member of the Nassau County Fire Commission.
"Ron always was involved and willing to take on any job with great enthusiasm and purpose to see the project to a successful end," said Edward Murphy, Ex-Captain of Vulcan Co and Festa's lifelong friend.
At his retirement dinner last January, Carol Hansen spoke of her friend. "I have known Ron Festa since we were teenagers," said the former Lynbrook Village Administrator . "The summer I was 15 we would hang out on his block and at his house. He hasn't changed. He is kind and gentle and always smiling."
Festa was married to his wife Kathleen for 39 years. Kathleen is a school teacher in East Meadow. They have two sons, Peter (Tara), Keith (Rebekah) and daughter Amy Kealey (Donald). He also is survived by grandchildren Dylan, Ryan, Sydney, Luke, Jake, Carter, Sara, and Jillian.
His son Peter is a Lynbrook police officer, and Keith is Chief of the fire department. Son-in-law Don is sanitation supervisor for the village.
"He was an outgoing guy," said his son Keith. "He would talk to anyone about whatever they wanted to talk about. He was a reasonable man - I could talk to him about anything."
Karenlyn Barone contributed to this story. Comments about this story? MMalloy@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 202.
