The United States Fire Administration has reported that Briarcliff Manor, N.Y. Deputy Chief and Fire Police Captain Joseph Piazzi died of a heart attack May 16.
Piazzi, 76, had responded to several incidents of downed power lines and trees due to storms throughout day before returning home to assist a neighbor with cleanup.
The department had been dispatched to another call and he was preparing to respond when he began to experience chest pains and called 9-1-1 at approximately 7:30 p.m.
The department was dispatched to his residence where he was found unresponsive.
Piazzi was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
According to a death notice from the Waterbury & Kelly Funeral Home, Piazzi joined the Briarcliff Manor Hook & Ladder Company in 1971 and went through the officer ranks and became Captain.
He attained the rank of Chief of the Department in 1983 and served until 1985.
He was also a member and Past Director of the Westchester County Association of Fire Chiefs.
Piazzi also was a member of the Westchester County Parade Judges Association and the Putnam County Association of Fire Police. Before coming to Briarcliff Manor he served the Mount Vernon Volunteer Fire Department for 23 years.
He is survived by a daughter, Debra Urbancic, son-in-law Jeffrey Urbancic, two grandchildren, Cassidy and Adam Urbancic. Sisters, Adeline Anello, Rose Myron and JoAnn Piazzi. His wife, Catherine Piazzi is deceased.
Funeral Information
Visitation for Deputy Chief Piazzi will be held Saturday, May 19, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, May 20, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Waterbury & Kelly Funeral Home, 1300 Pleasantvile Road, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 21, at 10 a.m. at Saint Theresa's Church, 1394 Pleasantville Road, Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, N.Y.
Contributions can be made to the Fireman's Home of the State of New York, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, NY 12534.
