POUGHKEEPSIE – Firefighters, family, and friends gathered Friday night in the City of Poughkeepsie to honor six members of the department who have retired in the past year. The Poughkeepsie Paid Firefighters Association and their union, IAFF Local 596 sponsored the banquet that presented the Lifesaving Medal to 10 firefighters and inducted three community pillars as honorary members of IAFF Local 596.
Poughkeepsie Fire Department Lieutenant Paul Bucher recognized the recent retirees with a plaque presentation to a cheering crowd. Firefighter John “Large Car” Cronk retired in January of 2022 after 22 years of service. The video of his final walkout can be viewed here. Cronk, known for his colorful and animated antics on emergency radios, remains active serving as assistant fire chief of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department, and was recently honored for saving a woman who was trapped in a building collapse.
Firefighter Ed Cefarelli retired in March of 2022 after 35 years with the department. Twenty-five-year Firefighter Phil Rugar was recognized for his August 2022 retirement. Firefighter Jeff Morris also retired this past August after a respectable 33-year career with the department. Immediate Past Chief Mark Johnson, who was not in attendance, was honored for his 31 years of service to Poughkeepsie. Sal Mauro retired in February after 38 years with the department, Mauro and Cefarelli are both credited with being mentors to the newer firefighters, with Lt. Bucher calling Mauro “The Dean” of the department.
Local 596 President Nick Bucher took the podium after his brother Paul and honored three business owners by inducting them as honorary members of Local 596. The three have been substantial supporters of the firefighters and their charitable initiatives.
Jeremy Phillips, a principal of Zeus Brewing and Schatzi’s Pub & Bier Garden, who crafts the annual PK’s Bravest limited beer in honor of fallen Poughkeepsie Firefighter Timbo Gunther, was joined by the Rossi family of Rossi’s Deli and Mike Baroni of Baroni Recycling as inductees. President Bucher said the three inductees, who received plaques and retired turnout coats in shadow boxes, were chosen because “The honorees have provided enormous support to our union throughout the years and are vital members of the city. They help us with every undertaking we have including the annual Gunther golf tournament, our Thanksgiving meal event, and our holiday toy drive that brings smiles to kids all over the city.” Bucher was emphatic in saying, “We couldn’t do our events without the help of the three inductees and we’re honored to have them.”
Phillips was humbled by the induction, telling Mid-Hudson News, “I never saw this honor coming. Having a group of heroes gathering to honor me really says something. I was already honored to call the firefighters my friends but now I get to call them brothers.”
The firefighters have a history of revealing a “Year In Review” video that highlights their recent work at the dinner and this year was no different. The video, using many photos from Mid-Hudson News and produced by the Poughkeepsie firefighters, can be viewed below.
