Festa gets his 'Way'

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- between Merrick Road and Peninsula Boulevard - as Festa's Way. The ceremony is planned for this spring.
"My family and I truly appreciate it, this means a lot to us," said Ron son's Keith Festa, also a former fire department chief. "These are his true friends and we all looked up to him, and I'm sure he's looking down on us."
Festa was a 45-year veteran of the Lynbrook Fire Department, starting his career with Vulcan Chemical & Hose Company in 1961. Soon after, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea. After completing his military duty, he returned to the fire department and became 2nd Lieutenant in 1968, 1st Lieutenant in 1968 and Captain in 1972. He continued to serve the department in various positions, including acting 1st Lieutenant in 1986, Warden from 1989 to 1991, and as a member of Vulcan's Board of Trustees. In 1978, he was elected 3rd Assistant Chief, and then eventually to Chief of the department from 1981 to 1982.
Festa was also a delegate from the fire department to the 4th Battalion, became the Chairman of the Battalion and a member of the Nassau County Fire Commission. He also worked in the village's Department of Public Works for 18 years. "Ron always was involved and willing to take on any job with great enthusiasm and purpose to see the project to a successful end," said Edward Murphy, ex-captain of the Vulcan Company and Festa's lifelong friend.
Keith Festa said it was his father who inspired him to be a firefighter. Keith is an ex-chief at the Vulcan Company. What made the dedication that much more special, Festa said, was that the portion of Denton Avenue that is being renamed is down the block from his father's old firehouse.
His wife of 38 years, Kathy, said the renaming of a portion of Denton Avenue in Ron's honor would have been something he appreciated because he loved Lynbrook. "I am very appreciative of the support of family and friends during Ron's illness," she said. "His passion was the fire department, his family and the village of Lynbrook."
Kathy said Ron enjoyed people and he and loved to chat. "He talked to everyone in town, from the crossing guards to the people in Dunkin' Donuts," she said. "He had a wide spectrum of friends and a loving heart." Kathy noted that Ron enjoyed teaching young kids in the junior fire department. He loved to teach, she said, and he never realized the impact he had on people. He was never sad or angry about his cancer, she added, and often put aside his own interests to help others.
Ron left behind three kids - Peter, Keith and Amy - and eight grandchildren. The street renaming and dedication ceremony will be held in the spring.
Mary Malloy contributed to this story. Comments about it ? ABottan@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 246.