Jan. 14--COHOES -- Fire Captain Michael Spizowski reported for his last tour of duty with the department's Second Platoon Monday.
After 39 years as a city firefighter, including about 25 years as a captain, Spizowski will retire at the end of his 24-hour shift at 7 a.m. Tuesday.
"I tried to do the best I could," Spizowski, 62, told the crowd of about 70 people who gathered at the Central Avenue fire station Monday to salute his service to the city "I tried to do my jobs for the citizens of Cohoes," said Spizowski, who joined the department in March 1975. The platoon presented Spizowski a wooden fire ax as a memento of his service to the city.
Chief Joseph Fahd said Spizowski would be missed by everyone in the department. "He will be hard to replace," Fahd said.
Mayor George Primeau agreed, saying "We're losing a very, very able firefighter. He's been an anchor in the fire department."
Spizowski received a plaque from Albany County District Attorney David Soares for his service as an arson investigator.
Spizowski said the one case that sticks in his mind is the fire in which John Gratto Sr., 31, an unemployed truck driver, and his children, Eleanor, 9; Evelyn, 8; Francis, 5; John Jr., 4; Edward, 2; and 4-month-old twins Patricia and Sarah, died. The devastating blaze occurred June 2, 1978 at their home at 108-110 Ontario St.
He said he was disappointed that the case was not been closed. It remains under investigation.
Spizowski said he and his wife, Tracey, who have eight children and 16 grandchildren, plan to travel.
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