R.E.M.A.

Retired Emergency Man’s Association

 

 

Volume VII, Issue 3                                                                  June 2004

There Is Hope

 

    I find that I have many things in common with Smarty Jones. We both start our day by eating oats. We both wear shoes. We both lost a bundle on the eleventh race at Belmont Raceway on Saturday, the 5th of June. Another common thread is that we both seem to have lost our focus on the finish line. That is why this newsletter is still not written.

    I wanted to tell everyone of the new hope I see for the future. I wanted to write a positive message to share my uplifted views on today’s world. I wanted to be the voice of cheerfulness in your morning mail. I wanted to, but I can’t. The price of staples, such as, gas, milk, meat, cable TV (I just have to watch the reruns of M*A*S*H and Gunsmoke) and prescriptions are higher than ever. The daily threat of terrorism is elevated. This is a presidential election year and that means boring debates and commercials. There is so much partisan politics, the party symbols shouldn’t be the elephant and the donkey. They should be the mongoose and the cobra. Wherever I look I see negativism. But wait! What is that I hear as I am typing this article. Why, it’s the Mister Softee truck, Great. Life is once again good. There is a ray of sunshine coming through the fog, Hurray. Let me run outside and get a soft, frozen ice cream. Maybe a double scoop.

    Whoa, there, Tony.

    It seems my conscience is reminding me of words like cholesterol and calories. Common sense is rearing its ugly head. Who will win? It’s easy. So long, Mister Softee. Goodbye, double scoop. It’s back to the Decaf and sugar free. And they say, these are the Golden Years. At least Smarty Jones can look forward to the future as a high price sire servicing all those young fillies. Hmmm, another similarity. Maybe life is good after all??????

INFORMATION UPDATE

    Bill Shanley (Ret E 1) tells me he and his bride have a new grandson, Daniel Patrick Shanley, born March 1, 2004. He is the third son of Capt. Scott Shanley (NYPD) and wife Pam, and Bill’s fifth grandchild.…....Ed Remavich (Ret E 8, ESU) and his wife, Stephanie, became first time grandparents when their daughter Kristin and her husband Sean gave birth to Braden Taylor Ryan on March 10, 2004 in North Stuart, Fl. The new addition weighed in at 8 lb, 1 oz and was 19 1/2 inches long. Ed is still working at the St. Lucie County Sheriff's office as a Bailiff in the courthouse in Ft. Pierce, Fl and wishes to say hello to the everyone...……..More good news from Jim Kennedy (Ret E 8, ESU) who reports that his son Bill (Ret E 7, ESU) and wife Karen are the proud parents of a baby boy, James. James arrived at 2:45PM on April 25, 2004 at 6 lb, 4 oz and 19 inches. I wonder what Truck the new Jim Kennedy will be assigned to?........Mike Laxton (Ret E 7) informed me that Justin Thomas Laxton was born at 9:30AM, April 28, 2004. Statistics for Justin are 8 lb, 4 oz, 21 inches long. Mom and baby are doing fine, but I’m not sure if Mike has come down from Cloud Nine yet.…….. An e-mail told me that Alfred (Ret E 7) and Joan Klages have a new grandson, born on April 11, 2004, which happened to be Easter Sunday.  He was 7 lb, 9 oz and his name is Kristian Evan. Mother and father are Julieta and Kurt Klages and it is their first child after being married for eight years. Al and Joan now have three grandchildren.  Their daughter, Christine (Fitzgerald), has two children, Alana (8) and Colin (3)…… Lt John Moran (E 4) and wife, Karen, have a new baby girl.  Her name is Nicole Lynn Moran, she was born on May 11, 2004 (3 weeks early), weighed 8 lb, 6 oz and was 20 1/2 inches long. She is doing just great ……… Joe Diaz (Ret E 6, ESU) and wife, Anne, welcomed their firstt son into the world on May 18, 2004. Daniel Joseph weighed 6 lb, 12 oz. I’ll bet Joe wasn’t shocked.......Tony Cuccia’s (Ret E-6, ESU) son, Michael, graduated from Bentley College in Boston on May 17, 2004 and will enter the business world soon. Maybe now Tony can really retire?…….. As of March 31, 2004 we now should address Vinny Driscoll (Ret AU) as Dr. Vincent J. Driscoll, Ed.D. Congratulations, Doctor Driscoll. You must be flying high……..As reported here previously, Bill (Willie) Fox (Ret E 9) passed away on December 22, 2003. His wife, Dottie Fox, had a memorial service and interment of his ashes at the Saratoga Veteran's National Cemetery in Saratoga, New York on May 14, 2004, at 12 noon. It was attended by many of Bill’s friends and those who couldn’t had Bill in their prayers…….Congratulations to REMA member Patrick Harnett, (former CO ESU), on his appointment as Hartford’s Chief of Police. They couldn’t have chosen a better man........Ruthann Griffin (Ret Harbor) tells me her 7 day cruise to the Eastern Caribbean was great. It was her first cruise. The vessel was little bigger that a Harbor launch........

And now the sad news....….

    Michael F. Ryan, father-in law of REMA member Ed Remavich (Ret E 8, ESU), died at the age of 91 in Palm City on February 29, 2004. He will be dearly missed. May he enjoy his heavenly reward........ Winifred Meehan, mother-in-law of REMA member Bob Swanson (Ret ESU), passed away on April 22, 2004. She was ninety-nine years old and is now enjoying her heavenly reward. May she rest in peace........ Joseph Blozis, father-in-law of REMA member Mike Libretto (Ret ESU), passed away. He was eighty-eight years old and will be dearly missed. May he rest in peace........ Dennis Mazza, brother of REMA member Mike Mazza (Ret ESU, E 7), passed away on March 31, 2004. Please remember Dennis and all of Mike's family in your prayers. May his soul rest in peace........ Carmen M. Velez, mother-in-law of REMA member Ray Ruiz (Ret E 3), passed away on May 11, 2004. She was 83 years old and was greatly loved. May her soul rest in peace........

    We have FIVE members undergoing treatment for serious illnesses and two things are requested, our prayers and anonymity. I have complied with both, now it's your turn.

FUTURE EVENTS

    First Annual ESU Family Camping Outing will be held on Thursday, August 5, 2004 through Saturday, August 7, 2004 at the Jellystone Campground, 50 Bevier Road, Gardiner, New York    12525, Tel (845) 255-5193. Their website is: http://www.lazyriverny.com.

    CALL TO BOOK YOUR OWN RESERVATION -A.S.A.P. and tell them you request to be placed near other ESU sites. Any questions, please call: Det Jim Piccolo (ESS 8) at (718) 963-5327 or cell (516) 318-3215 or E-mail: murfbe@aol.com

    ESS 8 Annual Fishing Trip aboard the Princess Marie from Point Lookout, NY on Tuesday, June 22, 2004. Meeting Time is 0700 hrs and Boat leaves promptly at 0800 hrs. All Tackle, Breakfast, and Lunch aboard, and Beverages Included. Price $60.00 per Adult.

    Any questions, contact: Det Joe Tenariello at ESS 8 Quarters (718 963-5356).

FUTURE MEETINGS

The next meeting for the year 2004 will be Wednesday, June 30, 2004 at Villa Leone (formerly Harper’s Restaurant) located at 1270 Union Turnpike, New Hyde Park, N.Y. from 12:30 PM until 3:30 PM. There will be a Hot Buffet, as well as a chef’s salad. Unlimited House White & Red Wine, Beer, Soda, Coffee and Tea are included. The price for the luncheon is $30.00, which includes all gratuities and sales tax. Payment will be made on the day of the luncheon.