Fire Department honors 8 at retirement dinner

One of Johnston s most important families the men and women who make up the Fire Department held a huge dinner last Friday night inside the West Valley Inn in West Warwick.

Johnston Firefighters Local 1950 signs were displayed prominently throughout the room, and the nation s colors were everywhere from the flag to tabletops. It was all part of the festive atmosphere created by dinner chairman Dave Pingitore and his committee.

Tonight we honor eight brothers who were always there for the residents of Johnston, Pingitore said. We re not saying goodbye. Instead, we re wishing everyone well in their retirements.

Those eight firefighters are Frank Leone, Robert Calise, Kenneth Moore, Vincent Polisena, James Jacavone, Paul Giroux, Don Depardo, and Bruce Engstrom.

This is a great tradition for our retirees, Jon Pistacchio, who serves as vice president of Local 1950 and joined Chief Timothy McLaughlin and Local 1950 president Keith Calci in delivering remarks. It s always a fun night.

Perhaps no one enjoyed the goings on more than Tanner Giroux, Justin Moore, and Kenny Moore, as they scooted around the Bella Riviera Room wearing their red plastic fire fighters hats before dinner.

I guess they re getting ready for their careers, racing to the task, Pingitore said. But thank goodness no one has to answer an alarm tonight.

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WARM WELCOME:

Johnston firefighter Dominic aRusso and his wife Rayna welcomed people to last Friday night s dinner.

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NIGHT S HONOREES:

The eight Johnston firefighters who were honored during last Friday night s retirement dinner are, from left, Frank Leone, Robert Calise, Kenneth Moore, Vincent Polisensa, James Jacavone, Paul Giroux, Don Depardo, and Bruce Engstrom. (Sun Rise photos by Pete Fontaine)

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HAVING FUN:

Decked out in their shiny red plastic firefighters hats, Tanner Giroux, Justin Moore, and Kenny Moore hold a huge silver fire horn that was once attached to a Johnston Fire Department truck.