Cpt. Pugliano honored for 35 years

By Natasha Clark, Assistant Managing Editor

EAST LONGMEADOW After 35 years, "Call" Captain Joseph Pugliano is retired as of July 1.

On June 19, Pugliano was recognized by the Board of Selectmen for his duty to the department.

At the top of the meeting East Longmeadow Fire Chief P. Robert Wallace said they were sad to see him go and that he has been an astounding citizen and asset to the fire department.

The selectmen commended him on his service and chair Enrico Villamaino joked that he hasn't even "been alive 35 years."

Later Pugliano told The Reminder that he retired because he felt like it was time.

"I thought it would be a good idea to let the new people there advance, give them some room. Plus it's getting to be a point where getting up in the middle of the night was getting tough on me," Pugliano shared.

Just as Pugliano is stepping out from his current position, he recalled stepping into it.

"I was at a Town Meeting back in 1972 and the old chief was looking for people to respond in the daytime," he said. "At the time I was working nights so I went down and said I was available and he put me on to go through the training program."

A program, Pugliano said that has shifted do to advances in technology.

"When we first got on the equipment it was average and now we have state of the art equipment. The training is to the upmost," Pugliano said.

As training progressed during his time with the department, so did his bond with fellow firefighters.

"The part of the job that I really enjoyed?" he said, repeating the question when asked. "I would think it's the people that I worked with. That's who I am going to miss the most ... It's a close knit group and we stick together."

The feeling was mutual when Call Captain Dick Brady, who has been a firefighter with Pugliano for the last 31 years, spoke about him.

"I'll miss his friendship, first of all. I've been there 31 years and he's always been there," Brady said. "It will be so strange to not have him there and to be a part of it."

Brady said that Pugliano always had a great attitude and was very committed to serving the town. He explained that it is "not an easy job as a call firefighter to stay on a long time."

Still, Pugliano said his departure will be bittersweet. He said a lot of what he has learned as a firefighter he has been able to use in other areas of his life.

He said his son Stephen is happy that he is retiring because of his workload and that his wife Linda is very supportive.

"She's always been by my side," he added, breaking off to laugh. "[When there is a fire] she's usually up telling me which street to go to."