01/15/2026
It’s never too late to say thank you.
This past Monday, at the start of our monthly department meeting, a very special “thank you” was finally shared — one the Gordon family had been waiting 54 years to give.
Ex-Chief Thomas D’Arcangelo has served the Central Islip Fire Department for 42 years, but before his time in Central Islip, he was a member of Smithtown Fire Department Engine Company 2. Ex-Chief D’Arcangelo, along with more than 15 members of the Central Islip Fire Department, was invited to what he believed was a routine presentation — unaware of the powerful story that was about to unfold.
Siblings Ken Gordon, John Gordon, and Linda (Gordon) Golden shared a moment from 54 years ago, when they were young children living on Allison Court in Smithtown with their younger brother Bruce Gordon, who was not present. One day, their mother began screaming for help as their father — not yet 40 years old — suddenly stopped breathing. At her direction, the Gordon boys ran outside to wave down the ambulance after calling for help.
Just one minute after calling for help, a car came flying around the corner with a blue light flashing. Behind the wheel was an 18-year-old volunteer firefighter — still in his pajamas.
That young volunteer was Thomas D’Arcangelo.
Ex-Chief D’Arcangelo successfully resuscitated their father, who went on to make a full recovery. He would live another 43 years, passing away at the age of 81.
“He saw all of us have kids. He saw all of us graduate school. He went to every one of our weddings,” said John Gordon. “He changed the course of life for me and my family. I get choked up every time I think about how different life would have been if he wasn’t that 18-year-old kid coming down the road to help my father. There wasn’t a holiday that went by that we didn’t talk about Tommy.”
After 54 years — surrounded by applause and more than a few teary eyes — the Gordon family finally had the chance to say thank you, and share a long-overdue hug with the man who changed their lives forever.
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