Hundreds Turn Out To Help Firefighter In Need

In a moving show of fierce hometown support, hundreds turned out at a fundraiser Saturday night to help a member of the Southold Fire Department as he faces the greatest challenge of his life.

The Southold Fire Department came together to help help Frank Locrotondo — a 20-year veteran of the department who is battling  frontal lobe dementia, said Southold Fire Department First Assistant Chief Peggy Killian.

The grounds of the Southold Fire Department were packed with people who'd paid $50 apiece to attend the country barbecue; families feasted on chicken, hot dogs, hamburgers, salads, and corn.

 A "huge" Chinese auction included high-end prizes including Long Island Ducks tickets with great seats, food and beverages, jewelry from Robert's Jewelers, a fishing tour, and lots more.

For five hours, guests danced and stood together in solidarity for one of their own.

Locrotondo, 55, is Killian's long-time business partner at Eastern Tire in Cutchogue, as well as in the fire department, but his illness has rendered him unable to work or ro serve with his comrades fighting fires.

"He can't speak," Killian said. "He's lost his ability to reason, to do things."

Locrotondo's illness is hard to grasp, she said. "I've spent so much time crying," Killian said.

Donations have come flooding in from a caring community that wants to give back to a man who has always come to their rescue, Killian said.

"Frank has always been the most cheery, nicest guy," she said. "He would drop everything to do something for anyone who needed anything. If he was called to a rescue at 3 a.m., he was there."

Locrotondo is also beloved by his family, Killian said, including his wife Cindy — the couple, who moved to Southold in 1991, were teen sweethearts and started dating right after high school -- four children and six grandchildren. "He would do anything for his kids," Killian said. "They did everything together as a family," including trips to Florida, she said.

Locrotondo was a longtime training officer with the Southold Fire Department, had served as captain and had been through the ranks. He was also an EMS instructor for Suffolk County for 15 years. He was close to a well-deserved stint as chief when illness overtook him, Killian said.

"The fire department is his whole life. He's an awesome fireman, probably the best," she said.

In a public service message, Southold Fire Captain Joe McCarthy announced the fundraiser. 

"Frank could always be counted on to render exceptional assistance," whether fighting fires, treating the sick or injured, or in training, McCarthy said. "Now it's our turn to help him and his family. Frank is suffering a debilitating illness and he needs our help."

He added, "He has spent a good part of his life helping other in need."

At the end of the night, the crowd danced to the song "Sweet Caroline," a Neil Diamond sung by the band, as they came together to help their friend, and the lyrics seemed to reflect their mission: "Hands, Touchin' hands, Reaching out, Touching me, Touching you."