Tommy Lorusso - Hillcrest FD

[res6cue 67]

It is with deep regret that the Hillcrest Fire Co. #1 announces the passing of Tom Lorusso, who passed away late Tuesday night after battling with a prolonged illness. Tommy joined the fire company in February 1993 and served tirelessly every single day he was a member, not even stopping during the past few months as he worked from his hospital bed. In addition to his long tenure as a company Trustee, he served for many years as both Fire Prevention Officer and Accountability Officer, in addition to being very active with the County's Fire Prevention program. He will be sorely missed by all those whose lives he touched. Rest in peace, brother.

SERVICE DETAILS:

Viewings to be held on Saturday, November 25 and Sunday, November 26 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm (both days) at the Sorce Funeral Home in West Nyack (on West Nyack Road).

Firematic service to be held at 8pm during the Sunday evening wake.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, November 27 at St. Catherine's Roman Catholic Church in Blauvelt (on Western Highway) at 11am, with internment to follow at Rockland Cemetery in Sparkill.

"Dept 6 on the air with a special message..."

[res6cue 67]

[biglew 3]

Rest In Peace, Brother.

My condolences to Hillcrest FC #1, and to his family and extended FD family for their loss.

[Guest]

My condolences to the family and friends of Fire Prevention Officer Tom Lorusso. To all the members of Hillcrest Fire Co. # 1, I am sorry for your loss.

[DOC22 1]

My thoughts and prayers to Tom's family, friends, and the Hillcrest Fire Department.

Rest in Peace, Tom.

[10-Buff-4 0]

God Bless Tom Lorusso and his family. He must have been the man to do all that he did. May the Good Lord Hold You in the Palm of His Hand.

-Joe DA BUFF

[res6cue 67]

http://www.sorcefuneralhome.com/obituaries...uary.php?id=363

Tommy Lorusso of Tappan, NY, known for his generosity, compassion and loving ways, died suddenly on Tuesday Nov. 21, 2006 at the age of 43. He was member of the Hillcrest Fire Dept since 1993. He was a Trustee for 11 years and Head Trustee for the past 4 years. Tommy was awarded the highest honor of Hillcrest Fireman of the Year in 1995 and 1996. He received the Chief’s award for both his outstanding performance and volunteer efforts. He headed the Fire Prevention Program and was a member of the Sons of the American Legion.

Tommy is survived by his parents, John and Patricia, his brothers, John and wife Patty, Kenny and wife Shonnan, and sister Maureen and husband Kevin; nephew John and nieces, Amanda, Tara and Ciarra and numerous uncles, aunts and cousins.

Visiting hours will be on Saturday and Sunday from 2 to 4 & 7 to 9 pm at the “Independently Owned” Joseph W. Sorce F.H. Inc. Firematic Services will be held on Sunday Evening at 8pm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday at 11:00 am in St. Catharine's R. C. Church, 523 Western Highway, Blauvelt, NY

Interment will be in Rockland Cemetery, Sparkill.

[RocklandFires 44]

Rest In Peace Tommy, you will be missed !

A photo I took of Tommy in front of the fire building in New Square on 5/22/02

[ex-commish 490]

May he rest in peace.

[RWC130 594]

God Bless - RIP!

[x635 4,066]

Thoughts and prayers are with Tommy, his family, and friends. Rest in peace.

Edited November 25, 2006 by x635

[vodoly 535]

My condolences

[res6cue 67]

Beloved Hillcrest firefighter dies

By Sulaiman Beg

The Journal News

(Original Publication: November 26, 2006)

TAPPAN - A funeral service will be held tomorrow for a volunteer firefighter whom friends and family recalled as a giving person who always put others before himself.

Tom Lorusso, a Hillcrest firefighter for 13 years, died Tuesday night at Nyack Hospital from pneumonia. He was 43.

"He was the most beautiful human being. He was so special," said his sister-in-law, Patty Lorusso. "He just did everything for everybody. If you called him, at the drop of a dime, he was there. He's just a beautiful person."

Lorusso, who was under 5 feet, couldn't go into burning buildings because of a lifelong physical condition, but aided the fire department in many other aspects.

Gordon Wren Jr., the county's emergency services coordinator and a Hillcrest firefighter, said Lorusso was a longtime trustee for the fire department and served as director of the Rockland County Volunteer Firefighters' Prevention Committee.

Wren said Lorusso was integral in the county's recent effort to provide updated smoke detectors with long-lasting batteries to seniors and disabled residents.

"He was just a natural," Wren said. "He was good at so many things. He turned out to be one of our best men."

Lorusso was born in the Bronx to John and Pat Lorusso, who opened Mama Lorusso in Mount Ivy in 1977. The family moved to Rockland when Tom Lorusso was 3. He graduated from Tappan Zee High School and attended St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill.

After John Lorusso became too ill to run the business himself, his three sons - Tom, Kenny and John Jr. - and his daughter, Maureen Hoban, helped out. The family-run business changed hands this year after nearly 30 years.

"He was basically the most generous person," his younger brother, John Lorusso Jr. of Blauvelt, said through tears. "He was just a caring person. He was sick but he put himself last and everyone first. He was the backbone of everyone's life. He's going to be missed. It hasn't even been a day and I miss him already," he said Wednesday

Lorusso said he, his wife, Patty, and their 10-year-old son, John III, were with Tom Lorusso in the hospital Tuesday night. He recalled telling his older brother a joke that made him laugh.

John Lorusso Jr. said his son was taking the loss hard because Tom Lorusso was his best friend and idol.

Hillcrest Fire Chief Tim Wren remembered Lorusso as the type of guy who never said "no."

"When you needed something done, he was the first guy you looked for," Wren said. "He was a tremendous asset. He brought a lot to the table."

A wake will continue at Joseph W. Sorce Funeral Home at 728 West Nyack Road from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m today. A firematic service will be held at 8 p.m. tomorrow.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. tomorrow at St. Catharine's Church in Blauvelt. Burial will follow at Rockland Cemetery in Tappan.