Firefighter recognized for 70 years of service

James Leon Jr., age 88, has just been recognized for 70 years of active service in the Patchogue Fire Department. He is also presently the eldest active member of the Patchogue Fire Department. He joined the Patchogue Fire Department and Ambulance Company when he was 18 and was a proud member of the Patchogue Forty Thieves Racing Team. This team was inducted in the Patchogue-Medford Hall of Fame in recent years.

Leon is currently the captain of the Patchogue Fire Police. He has also received many accolades and a standing ovation at a recent fire department installation dinner for his amazing service. In addition to his years in the Patchogue Fire Department, he is also a member of the Patchogue Ambulance, and a bench was recently placed in honor of his service outside the ambulance company in Patchogue. 

He has devoted endless hours of community service and is always dedicated to helping others. He is a great husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.