In Memoriam: FASNY Director Richard J. Vella (1947 – 2013)

FASNY Director Richard J. “Rich” Vella of West Babylon, died July 3, 2013, at the age of 66.

A member of FASNY since 1992, Rich was active in the FASNY Fire Police Committee since 2000 and eventually became chairman of the committee in 2007. He was appointed to the FASNY Board of Directors in 2010 and elected for a five-year term as director in 2011. At the time of his death, Rich was serving on the Member Benefits, By-Laws, Scholarship Advisory, and the Budget and Finance committees. He was the board liaison to the Firefighter of the Year, Ways and Means, and Public Relations committees. He was a member of the FASNY Foundation, Inc. Board of Directors.

Locally, Rich was an active member of the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, where he worked up the ranks from 3rd vice president to serve as president twice from, 2002 – 2004 and 2010 –2012. He was also active in the Suffolk County Chiefs Association.

Rich was a member of the West Babylon Fire Department for 44 years, having joined Eagle Engine No. 6 at age 22.  Over the years, he served as chief of the department and twice as a lieutenant and captain of Eagle Engine. He also served as captain and lieutenant of the rescue squad and the fire police unit. He was elected trustee of the WBFD’s Benevolent Association in 1990 and recently served as their secretary.

He also served as a commissioner of the West Babylon Fire District and was very active in a number of firematic organizations including the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, the Association of Fire Districts of the State of New York and the Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association, where he served as director and sergeant-at-arms.

He was a member of the Town of Babylon Volunteer Firemen’s Association, where he served as a trustee for three years; the Town of Babylon Fire Officials Association; and the Town of Babylon Chiefs Association, where he served as past president, 1st vice president, secretary and treasurer.

Rich worked as a security guard for the defense contractor Sperry for 17 years and was also an operations manager at Otis Spunkmeyer for six years prior to retiring.

Rich is survived by his wife of 46 years, Judith, and their children, Keith, Tara and Missy, and his sister Charlene Vella. He was adored by his many nieces and nephews. Cherished by Michael, Chris and Shannon Conrad.

A funeral mass at Our Lady of Grace Church was followed by interment at North Babylon Cemetery July 8.

In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rich’s memory may be made to The FASNY Scholarship Fund, 107 Washington Ave., Albany, NY 12210; The John Masem Scholarship, c/o the Suffolk County Volunteer Firemen’s Association, 67 Smith Road, Shirley, NY 11967; or the FASNY Firemen’s Home, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY 12534.