New York City Fire Department
Our 76th Annual Scholarship Dinner Dance will be held
June 17, 2010
at
Russo’s on the Bay,
162-45 Cross Bay Blvd.
Howard Beach section of Queens
details to follow
As always, your support in making this special affair a success
is deeply appreciated.
Fraternally,
Craig Silvino
Dance Chairman
Contact Craig Silvino for more info
516-286-1796
Hotel information available upon request.
2010 Man of the Year
JOHN N. SOLLAZZO
John served in the Navy aboard the U.S.S. Intrepid, Ships Company. He served 2 years; 1959 & 1960 John served as a firefighter for 20 years; 1963 - 1983 and Retired from Staten Island's Engine Company 160
President of the Staten Island FDNY Retirees Inc.
President of Gaeta
Democratic Club
Meals on Wheels Outstanding Service Award
Committee for Italian organization-Tuscan Gardens
Chair of "Friends of Saint Florian"
John is always available to help a friend.
2010 Special Recognition Award
"Momma Da'Nico" Annette Pellegrini Criscitelli
Queen of Manhattan's Little Italy
Born and raised in Little Italy, Annette and her husband are considered the first family. This team along with her son Nick own six restaurants, Pellegrino's, Da'Nico, Novella, Palazzo, La Nonna and most recently S.P.Q.R. Annette learned from her grandmother to cook at a very young age.
Momma Da"Nico feed the NY Yankees after their parade on Broadway and who opened her hearts to feed the rescue teams during 9/11. Each year on 9/11 members return to her and thank her for her generosity. She is always there to help the local fire companies.
2010 Presidents Award
Buddy Santangelo
Curricula Vitae: Buddy Santangelo
I was born in Bushwick and grew up in Flatbush, Brooklyn. My father was a Firefighter in Ladder Company131 in Red Hook from 1950 to 1973. After high school, I went into the US Navy where I was a Jet mechanic and a plane Captain. I worked on an F-4B Phantom Fighter Jet. VF-41 was my Squadron, out of Virginia Beach, VA. I spent nine months serving on the Aircraft Carrier USS Independence. After returning home from sea duty in 1969, I went to work with United Airlines at JFK Airport. I stayed until I was sworn into the Fire Department on November 5, 1977.
After Probationary School, by the luck of the draw of course, I was assigned to Ladder Company 131, the "Happy Hookers," where my father had served his 23 years. It was tough being a Probie there as I had marched with most of these men when I was a kid at the Holy Name Breakfast held at the St. George Hotel in Brooklyn. They weren't happy when I called them Pops. I was told by my father "don't leave the apparatus floor, clean the tools, help with the rig till 12 pm, then go eat lunch and do the dishes." At that time, there hadn't been any Probies in the Company in a long while, so it seemed like we were made to pay for the privilege. I was fortunate to work with these people. After a job they would take me to each position they had and showed me what they did.
In 1981, a couple of years after the Waldbams fire in Sheepshead Bay where firefighters died in a roof collapse, I transferred to Ladder Company 153, "The Watch Dawgs" of Ave. U. There I stayed until I was promoted to Fire Marshal 1986.
My first assignment was with the Red Cap program on New Jersey Ave., Brooklyn. When the Red Cap program ended, I was assigned to various units, including the Brooklyn Base, the Special Investigations Unit in 1990, and the Joint Arson Task Force with ATF in 1997. In August of 2002, I was promoted to Supervising Fire Marshal, and in 2005 I was reassigned from the Task Force to Brooklyn Base, where I am presently the Executive Officer.
During all this time, I had the honor to belong to the largest and one of greatest Fraternal Organizations in the Fire Department, The Columbia Association. I had joined 33 years ago when I first came on the job in Probie school, when Dan Tienna was the President. Then, approximately 22 years ago, I was asked to join the Executive Board. I started off as a Sergeant-at-Arms and worked my way up as Assistant Brooklyn Trustee under Vince DeAngelis, then Treasurer, 1st Vice President and finally President. During that time I worked with Al Silvino, Dennis DeTucci, Sr., Joe Donatelli, and of course Gerry Barbara. While I was on the Board, I worked with their sons Craig Silvino and Dennis DeTucci, Jr. I consider myself very lucky; I had two careers at the same time--The Fire Department and the Columbia Association.
I saved for last what I believe to be the ultimate of all my accomplishments, my wonderful family. I was married in 1970 to my wife Rosemarie. I have three children, Christopher, a Special Agent with the USDA-OIG, Gregory, a Firefighter with Ladder Company153 Brooklyn and Jaclyn, a Paralegal with National Grid. I have two daughter-in-laws, Jennifer and Annette, and I'm the proud grandfather of three grandchildren, Nicolette, Joseph and Danielle.