Rockville Centre Fire Department pays respects to Charles Elmore

Charles Elmore, who died on June 24 at age 89, was remembered for his years of military service and his dedication to the Rockville Centre Fire Department for more than 50 years.

Shortly after Elmore and his wife, Gail, were married in 1964 and settled down in the village, he decided to join Floodlight Rescue Company No. 1.  “He was an absolute gem to have in your company,” Lou Milone, a longtime friend and colleague in the department, said. “He was an individual who, if we ever had a technical problem with rescue equipment, was always willing to help. If he could do it, he would do it. And if he couldn’t, he would find a way to do it.”

Elmore was given the title of honorary chief of the Fire Department in 2010, and two years later transferred to Eureka Hook, Ladder and Bucket Company No. 1.

“He was the type of individual who would do something that might be considered outstanding or remarkable for someone else, but for him it was nothing,” Milone said. “That was the kind of person he was. He went over and above without ever being asked. If something needed to be built, he would do all the work single-handedly, and he didn’t accept or expect money or accolades. He didn’t do it to get acknowledgment.”

Elmore enlisted in the Army when he was 18 and spent time in the reserves before joining the Air Force. After he moved to New York from his hometown in Kentucky, he joined the Navy as a craftsman with the Naval Construction Battalion. He spent a good deal of time on aircraft carriers, where he learned welding and carpentry.

When Elmore returned to civilian life, he joined the carpenters’ union and went to work for a company based outside the New York metropolitan area. He worked there until he was injured on the job in 1975. Following the injury, he worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Bridges and Tunnels until he retired in 2000.

He was predeceased by Gail, his wife of 52 years; his parents, Edward and Lilly; sisters Frances Lyons and Patsy Sager; and a brother, Bobby.  He is survived by two siblings, Shirley and Louis; two children, Charles (Kami) and Nancy DiCeglio (Doug); and a grandson, Gavin.

Fire Department services were held on June 28 at the Thomas A. Glynn & Son Funeral Home, followed by a funeral service on June 29. After the services, Elmore was escorted to the Calverton National Cemetery in Suffolk County.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation in his honor.