Editor's Note: This article was written and submitted by John Scalesi.
After graduation from Mepham High School in 1975, John Scalesi joined the U. S. Army where he got hurt in an explosion in 1977.
He received his medical discharge and his life-long dedication to rescue work began. Scalesi served as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) for 12 years at Nassau University Medical Center (NUMC) and 7years in the Nassau County Sheriff’s Department, where he retired in 1994.
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Scalesi became a Red Cross First Aid CPR Instructor and continues in those capacities to this day. He has served many years as a New York State Athletic Commission Boxing Inspector and a New York State Wrestling Judge.
Scalesi began as a New York State Fire Rescue Instructor in 1995, a position he still fills. Finding volunteer service a fulfilling way of life, he joined the Bellmore Fire Deptartment in 1988 and served four terms as captain. He also served the North Bellmore Fire Department for 10 years.
A dedicated volunteer fireman, Scalesi also became a member of the Knights of Columbus, earning their highest level of recognition Fourth Degree Knight. In the Sons of Italy, he served on the Board of Directors from 1998-2001 and was a member of the Bellmore Little League committee from 1992-95.
He was also the president of the Bellmore Lions Club in 2003-04, president of the Bellmore Kiwanis Club in 2005-06; and vice commander of the Bellmore American Legion from 1994 to 1996.
Scalesi has served as an advisor to the Mepham High School Key Club since 1998. His life and career of helping others has been recognized many times. He was a Newsday Volunteer Recognition Winner in 1991 for his commendable record of volunteer service.
Scalesi has a speech device that is given to him by the Army after getting hurt in 1977. He is the first veteran to get this device help him stepple his stutter at times. He received awards for multiple fire rescues, was Newsday and the North Bellmore Fire Department's “Fireman of the Year” in 1988, and received both the Town of Hempstead and the Nassau County “Fire Service Life Saving Medals.”
Scalesi and his 91-year-old mom live in Bellmore where he continues to serve his many communities. His 22-year-old daughter fall next to him in earning six community awards in her home town of massapequa and earned a college degree.
Have you worked with Scalesi during his time of service in Bellmore? Tell us in the comments section below
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