LODD: FF Dale Monica, Burke FD, Burke, NY

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Long-time New York Firefighter Dies Trying to Save Own Home

Updated: 04-18-2005 03:21:44 PM

LUCAS BLAISE

The Press Republican

BURKE -- A volunteer firefighter collapsed during a blaze at his own home early Saturday. Dale Monica suffered a heart attack and later died.

Monica, 54, of 94 Montgomery Road was a firefighter in the Burke Volunteer Fire Department for more than 30 years. A past assistant chief, Monica was remembered for his work in many community organizations.

The fire was reported at Monica’s home at about 2 a.m. Malone, Chateaugay, and Constable firefighters were called in to help fight the four-hour blaze.

"He went down at the scene and was taken by Burke’s ambulance to Alice Hyde Medical Center where he later died," said Donald Smith, Burke Volunteer Fire Department chief, in a press release Saturday.

Monica was a life-long resident of Malone and son of Anson and Joyce Monica. He attended local schools.

He graduated from Franklin Academy in 1971 and earned an Associates Degree in 1973 from SUNY Canton.

Monica was a well-known member of the community, not only as the owner of Monica’s Refrigeration and Mechanical, but as a participant in many clubs and boards.

He was the past president of the Malone Lodge of Elks and past exalted ruler, a member of the Royal Order of Jesters and the Furnace Mountain Hunting Club.

Monica participated in two Free and Accepted Masons’ organizations. He was a past master of the North Aurora Lodge of the Free and past district deputy grand master of the Franklin Hamilton District Free and Accepted Masons.

He was also the past potentate of the Media Temple Shrine and sat on both the Montreal Shriner’s Hospital Board and Shriner’s Boston Burn Hospital Board.

Monica was also the codes enforcement officer for the Town of Burke and ran for Town Council in 1999.

He is survived by his wife, Nancy, and two daughters, Kristal and Jennifer Monica.

Members of the Fire Department declined to comment about the fire. No information about the cause of the fire or the firefighting effort was available.

"This is a big loss for the department," Smith said Saturday. "We’ll tell you more when we can."