_____________ ROCKVILLE CENTRE ____________
SAV E W HE N Y OU B U NDLE A UT O & HOM E INS U R A NC E
HERALD Supporting the vets at 5K run
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Vol. 35 No. 44
oCToBER 24 - 30, 2024
Presented by
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Fire department honors the fallen
HER ALD
Local author writes powerful new memoir years of trying to help his family through their grief. His priority became “getting them off the Edward T. Byrne’s powerful ash heap,” particularly his wife new memoir, “In Whom I Am and daughter, who were at home Well Pleased,” recounts his when Matthew died there. “I probably didn’t touch this grief as a Rockville Centre until 2016,” Byrne father who in an told the Herald. “I instant is forced to made up my mind confront what can that it was probably only be described as worthwhile to do.” “a parent’s worst The book would nightmare” — the take Byr ne until loss of child to sui2018 to complete, as cide. he tackled the comByrne, 72, weaves plexity of his son’s together two narramental health, posttive threads, about traumatic stress his son Matthew’s and addiction head journey, growing up on, learning more as an all-American about him, and the boy on Long Island, EDwARD T. ByRNE thoughts that had and his subsequent author haunted him for descent, as postyears that had traumatic stress from his dream job as a New never come to light. The book York City firefighter sends him isn’t intended to cast blame on spiraling toward substance anyone, but it acknowledges abuse, depression and eventual- that there were signs that Byrne ly to the point of taking his own now believes were “not taken seriously enough.” life. “It was a tough book to “You’ re definitely shellshocked in the wake of some- write,” he said. “It’s a tough thing like this,” Byrne recalled book to read. Hopefully it was of the aftermath of that devas- worth the effort. Time makes a difference. It doesn’t let you get tating day in August 2014. Byrne said that he began over (the loss), but it lets you writing the memoir after two Continued on page 31
By DANIEl oFFNER
doffner@liherald.com
Stu Goldman/Herald
Floodlight Company No. 1 hosts open house Firefighter/EMT Kiernan Woram, left, Firefighter/EMT Paige Sansone, First Lieutenant Michael Woram demonstrate the ‘jaws of life’ on a minivan. Story, more photos, Page 5.
RVC moms will hit the gridiron Titans football raises money for Breast Cancer Coalition By DANIEl oFFNER doffner@liherald.com
To raise awareness and support for the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition, a nonprofit outreach program that provides financial and emotional support for local residents diagnosed with breast cancer, the Titans youth football program will host its first-ever Moms’ flag-football game fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 27. This unprecedented display of community spirit, spearheaded by Jessica Bifulco and Lisa Guerriero, has already surpassed expectations with an overwhelming response from the community. In just a short time, the organization raised $7,500 not accounting for additional fundraising efforts including a bake sale and 50/50 raffles. “If we do as well as we hope, we’re looking to break $10,000,” Dana Lozito, one the Titans orga-
nization’s founders said.. “One hundred percent of the funds will go to the Rockville Centre Breast Cancer Coalition.” Lozito founded the Rockville Centre Titans football program with her husband and coach, Bill Lozito, after learning that their two sons would have to travel outside the village to participate in a youth football league. It is an entirely volunteer-led organization dedicated to helping young athletes by developing life skills both on and off the field. Currently in its 10th season, the Titans help kids by building character, instilling positive values, and creating lifelong memories. “The lessons you learn on the field, between the mental and physical grind during practices and games, getting tackled and getting back up again, relates to the tools they need to preserve in Continued on page 7
T
ime makes a difference. It doesn’t let you get over it, but it lets you get past it.