__________________ SEAFORD _________________
HERALD
Local Moving and Pa
Two rescues just three days apart
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VOL. 74 NO. 33
AUGUST 13 - 19, 2026
Seaford, New York
516-591-3338 mymove@asupermov e.com www.asupermove.c om
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1339907
Wantagh H.S.’s 9/11 Memorial
cking Services
Wantagh hero urgently needs kidney donor of his father, an FDNY captain, and his grandfather, an FDNY lieutenant. As a teenager, he For nearly 50 years, John often spent 24-hour shifts at his “JJ” Gillen has dedicated his father’s busy South Jamaica firehouse, where his love for the life to helping others. Whether responding to fires fire service took root. “I just always liked it,” Gilin Wantagh, investigating crimes as an NYPD officer or len said. “I grew up around mentoring the next generation that.” of volunteer fireWhile he origifighters, Gillen has nally hoped to join built a career the FDNY, Gillen around service. took the NYPD Now, after decades entrance exam of answering emerwhile waiting for a gency calls, the fire department hir66-year-old is asking ing class. He ultithe community for mately spent 20 something that years with the doesn’t come natuPolice Department, rally to him: help. serving on patrol in Gillen is search- KEVIN REGAN Queens before ing for a living kid- Public information working in organ e y d o n o r a f t e r officer, Wantagh Fire nized crime, the recently learning Department detective bureau that his declining and eventually as a kidney function has sergeant. progressed to the point where Even during his police he needs a transplant. career, he never stepped away “I don’t like to ask for help,” from volunteer firefighting. Gillen said. “My two daughters After moving back to Wanthave kind of taken the ball and agh in 1990, Gillen resumed his ran with it, and they’re doing a service with the Wantagh Fire great job.” Department, where he rose Born in Brooklyn and raised through the ranks from lieutenin Seaford, Gillen joined the ant and captain to chief of Wantagh Fire Department in CONTINUED ON PAGE 7 1978, following in the footsteps
By HUNTER FENOLLOL
hfenollol@liherald.com
Photos Courtesy John Scalesi Jr.
House fire on Jackson Avenue Firefighters responded to a Seaford home after a deck fire broke out in the rear of the residence just after 10 a.m. Monday morning. Crews stretched one hand line and extinguished the blaze. All occupants escaped safely and no injuries were reported, according to Peter Lochner, second assistant chief of the Seaford Fire Department. “The fire is currently under investigation by the Nassau County fire marshal’s office, and the Police Department’s arson and bomb squad,” Lochner said.
H
e’s given so much of himself over the years to serving others.