6. William John Duffy (1908-1909)
Served 2 Years
William Duffy was born on December 20, 1882, the son of Edward and Elizabeth (Mollitor) Duffy in Hicksville. The Duffy family was already well established in Hicksville, and they had their home at 205 Duffy’s Lane. The homestead is still the home of his family, generations later. He married Mary Loretta Mollitor.
William joined as a Charter member of Independent Engine Company 2 and served as their Captain in 1903. In 1902, when the department hosted the Southern New York Firemen’s Association Parade, Tournament and Convention, in Hicksville, he was 2nd Assistant Chief and served on the Executive Committee.
During the department election in 1908, the members would elect Arnold Heitz as Chief with Henry Renne as 1st Assistant and Louis Munch as 2nd Assistant. However, Arnold Heitz would decline the position, and the department requested and was granted a new election. On February 14, 1908, William Duffy was elected and confirmed as the new Chief. Additionally, during the canvassing of votes, Adam Dauch was then elected 1st Assistant with Frank McCormack as 2nd Assistant Chiefs. William was appointed as the 6th Fire Chief by the Board of Fire Commissioners.
Fire destroyed the carriage factory of the Benjamin Abrams Carriage Company, and for a time it was feared that the entire Village would be wiped out by the flames. The fire started in the blacksmith shop of the factory, and it was burning for some time before being discovered.
On September 28, 1908, the fire department responded to the home of Fred Hubschman to fight a fire. On arrival, they found no water in the cisterns and could only stand by and watch the fire burn the house, barn, and other outbuildings. Fred’s wife was in the parlor on the first floor when she saw smoke and called in the alarm before getting her three small children out of the home. Fred’s brother Steven entered the second floor of the home to rescue his brother Fred who was asleep. Steven had difficulty reaching his brother through the intense heat but was able to rouse him. As they exited the home, the whole house was on fire.
On October 1, 1908, the village experienced its largest fire in its history, when the large pickle and kraut factory of Alart & McGuire was destroyed. The building spanned over an acre and had forty tons of pickles and sauerkraut ready for barreling that all burned in the blaze. Chief Christ and the men responded and were able to get two streams of water on the blaze, but that failed to do much good. Firemen were able to save the equipment room and a loaded freight car. When the fire was reported, the firemen didn’t hear the phone as the carousel out front was too loud. The loss of the building was estimated at over $50,000 and employed many people. The total loss devastated the building, and it would not be rebuilt, and many were put out of work. It was at this fire that the hose cart operated by Volunteer Hose Company 4 was rendered inoperable and later sold by Chapman Auctions for $250.
During his term, Chief William Duffy compiled a history of the department, and it was printed and sold to get sufficient funds to meet expenses to host a tournament and convention. Hicksville played host to the 13th Annual Southern New York Volunteer Firemen’s Association Convention on October 20-22, 1908. The parade was led by Grand Marshall John Puvogel, followed by the 22nd Regiment of the New York National Guard, commanded by Col. Munson Morris. The fairgrounds were Broadway, between Carl and Cherry Streets, where the Tournament was held.
In May of 1909, the Steamer maintained by Citizens Engine Company 3 was sold to Mr. Schwartz for $300 to make room for a new updated model from the Hose Carriage Company of Flushing, New York. The cost was $600.
Ex-Chief Duffy was elected Fire Commissioner 1911 through 1921, serving 10 Years and serving as Chairman in 1916 and 1920.
William was the President of the Long Island National Bank of Hicksville, from 1927 until the time of his passing in 1952. He owned the Nassau Seed Company on Newbridge Road. He was active in politics and was a Zone Leader. In 1949 when there was strife in the party they ousted the current leader.
He was a 4th Degree member of Joseph Barry Council and Mercier Assembly, Knights of Columbus. He was also a Trustee for the St Ignatius Catholic Church.
He served on the Hicksville Public School as a member of the Board for 15 years and he was appointed by Governor Dewey to the Board at Pilgrim’s State Hospital in Brentwood.
Chief William Duffy passed away at the age of 69 on November 16, 1951, and is interred at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury.
