37. Lawrence James Huttle Sr. (1955-1957)
Served 2 Years
Lawrence (Larry) Huttle was born on March 31, 1914, in Brooklyn N.Y. and was the son of John and Edna (Hopgood) Huttle. He married Margaret “Peggy” Gordon in September of 1940. He worked for the Long Island Railroad and lived on Notre Dame Avenue.
Larry joined Volunteer Hose Company 4 on August 13, 1945, and was elected 1st Lieutenant in 1954, then without serving as Captain, he was elected 2nd Assistant Chief in 1952-1953, 1st Assistant Chief 1954, before rising to rank as Chief in 1955 through 1957.
During his term as Chief on November 15, 1955, firefighters were called out to help find a missing two-year old girl. She went missing near the Hicksville Farmers Market near Vincent Road and Miller Road. Just after darkness fell the floodlights were turned on and little Kathy Kenehan was located by Anthony Cannizzaro with the help of Joe Graham and Eddie Richardson.
During the Labor Day Parade, a fire was discovered at the Good Bar Ice Cream warehouse at Newbridge Road and Duffy Avenue causing considerable damage.
A fire broke out in the Bing’s Chinese laundry at 146 Broadway, firefighters had to fight their way into the thick smoke and searing flames. Prompt response by the firefighters kept the fire in the laundry, which was gutted, along with hundreds of shirts. Fire also threatened the French Cleaners in the same building and the occupants of second floor apartment were driven from their home.
In August of 1955, fire gutted the paint shop of Perfect Line Manufacturing Co. on Old Country Road, next to the LIRR tracks. Efficient work by firemen under the leadership of Chief Huttle brought the blaze under complete control in less than 30 minutes. Thick smoke poured from the building and the paint shop interior was a roaring inferno with flames feeding on paint and lacquers. The fire apparently started while a paint spray gun was being cleaned. Wearing smoke masks, the firemen battled the blaze with foam and water. The only casualty was William Westerberg of Co. 2 who suffered finger and arm lacerations while helping rip metal fume vents off the flat roof of the building.
Two families were evicted when flames swept Olga’s Specialty Shop at 134 Broadway, in April. The alarm was reported at about 10:00 PM and firemen were on the scene for more than 3 hours. Smoke filled the building which was owned by Repetti Brothers who lived on the second floor. Damage to the Specialty Shop was extensive. The fire appeared to have started in the front of the store and swept across the stock area.
Chief Larry Huttle decided it was necessary to provide a special squad to perform the duties associated with the ambulance. In October 1955, the Rescue Relief Squad was organized by Assistant Chief Medard Ofenloch and John Specht was appointed as Captain.
The construction of two new fire stations that were built on Woodbury Road at Briggs Street and Strong Street at West John Street were completed. The community’s growth had the Chiefs, with the support of the Commissioners, create a Sixth Fire Company for additional protection to the Northwest area of Hicksville. On February 6, 1956, a group of men transferred from other Companies and organized Hook & Ladder Company Six. That year, Chief Huttle, Captain Harold Hauxhurst, Company 6 and Andy Claus, Company 5, opened the new Sub Station on Strong Street.
Chief Huttle would have the membership train on the new MSA Asbestos Safety Suit. In October of 1957, the Mid Island Plaza would open its doors and Chief Huttle and the members were part of the celebration and on hand for the opening ceremonies.
Chief Huttle went public in July of 1956 asking for support in gathering portraits of the members who served as Chief Officer of the Hicksville Fire Department. He was assigned a 6- member committee consisting of Fred Noeth, Harold Manaskie, Henry Gebhardt, Joseph Eisemann, Jack Leckie and Vince Braun. The project was a success as family members of former Chiefs were able to get the missing photographs and they were arranged in the Department Meeting Room on the 2nd Floor at Fire Headquarters. All but Jacob Christ was located. Today, the portraits of 71 Chief Officers are arranged in year order in the basement of Station 1 (Headquarters).
The Fire Prevention Week in 1957 had the new Rescue Squad displaying the latest lifesaving equipment placed into service. The Batronic Resuscitator operates on an electric shock principal.
In 1958, Ex-Chief Huttle ran unsuccessfully for Fire Commissioner against Ex-Chief Ofenloch, Ex-Chief Weiss, Firefighter Cono Brigandi and James Matienzo. Ex-Chief Weiss was duly elected to a 5-year term.
Larry was also elected as Department Delegate to the 9th Battalion and served as Chairman of the 9th Battalion Fire District. Larry served as a Trustee of Firemen's Benevolent Exempt Association and as its President in 1972 through 1973. Larry had always assisted the Department in its many activities. He had always been first to give aid in and counsel in the unending projects that keep a department functioning. He is always available to show members how to build or to make the items necessary so the Volunteer Fire Service can continue. He served as the 1st Fund Drive Chairman in 1959 and was instrumental in raising funds for the department through 1972. Larry was a member of the Annual Labor Day Parade and Drill Committee for many years and served as its chairman in 1958, before being honored as its Honorary Grand Marshal at the Annual Labor Day Parade & Drill in 1974.
Larry’s two sons, John (Jack), and Jimmy were members, and his three grandchildren, Richard, and Ronald Proffe, and John Huttle Jr., all served as members of Volunteer Hose Company 4. Additionally, his son-In-Law Donald Zinkhan, was a fire dispatcher and a member of Protection Hook & Ladder Company 1.
Chief Huttle passed away on March 31, 1992, and is interred at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury.
Chief Huttle leading the members during a Memorial Day Parade in 1956 
Chief Huttle leading the members during a Memorial Day Parade in 1956 
Chief Werthessen with Commissioner & Ex Chief Vince Braun along with Ex Chief Huttle shown during a Fund Drive press event in 1960 
