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LON SLEPICKA
Firehouse.Com News

Rick Buongiorne, 48, a volunteer firefighter with the Kendall, New York Volunteer Fire Department, was struck and killed by a vehicle while directing traffic at the scene of an accident. The incident occurred Tuesday at about 5:30 p.m.

Deputy Chief Skip Snell said the weather, icy with blowing snow, was a factor as Buongiorne, who was helping direct traffic around an accident, was struck by a vehicle traveling the opposite direction.

Buongiorne was transported to Lakeside Memorial Hospital in Brockport, then transferred to Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester where he died.

Snell said Buongiorne had joined the fire department in September and completed his firefighter certification in November. "He was willing to do anything he could do around here. He responded to a lot of calls."

Buongiorne lived in Kendall and worked in Rochester, about 24 miles west. He lived with his second wife, and had two sons from a previous marriage.

Snell said funeral plans had not been completed on Wednesday. He believed this was the first Line of Duty Death in the department’s history.

Kendall VFD has 86 members and serves the town population of 2,500 and surrounding rural areas.

Funeral Arrangements:

Funeral service will be Saturday, January 13, 2001 at 2:00 P.M. at Concordia Lutheran Church, 1769 Kendall Rd., Kendall, NY. There will be no calling hours prior to the funeral service.

Parking will be at Kendall High School, 16887 Roosevelt Highway (NYS Route 18), Kendall, NY. Shuttle buses will provide transportation to the church. A reception will be held at the high school following the funeral service.

Due to space limitations, fire departments beyond the local area are requested not to bring fire apparatus.

The family has set up a bank account at Albion HSBC in memory of Richard Buongiorne. Anyone wishing to make contributions instead of donations are directed to mail them to:

HSBC Richard Buongiorne Acct. 102 N. Main St. Albion, NY 14411

In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made to the Kendall Volunteer Fire Department or Orleans County P.A.W.S.