It is with the utmost sadness that we announce the passing of our senior man, 61-year member Ex-Chief Arthur W. Sperr of Engine Company 2..
Ex-Chief Arthur W. Sperr was sworn into the East Meadow Fire Department Engine Company 2 on August 4, 1963, after being on a waitlist to get in. He moved to East Meadow from Hempstead, where he had served 5+ years as a member of Hose Company 1 of the Hempstead Fire Department. “Artie” and his new wife Phyllis settled in at their new home on Blackstone Ave. To try to tell Artie’s story, with his tremendous dedication, and his longtime and continuing contributions to the EMFD, in just one post leaves so much unsaid. Right through to his retirement as a projectionist in the mid 1990s, Artie worked nights which enabled him to be a much needed daytime firefighter.
Artie served several terms as a Company line officer, first as 2nd Lt. in 1967, 1st Lt in 1968, and Captain in 1969. He then again was elected 1st Lt in 1974 and again Captain of Eng. Co. 2 in 1975. Also in 1975, Artie was the Chairman of the EMFD 45th Anniversary 6th Battalion Parade and drill. With the backing of his wife Phyllis, who is a long time member of the Ladies Auxiliary, and his children, Steven and Susan, Artie made a successful bid for the Chiefs Office being elected to 3rd Asst Chief in 1976. Moving up the line, Artie became Chief of the EMFD in 1979.
Over the span of his 60 years Artie was an Engine 2 chauffeur on the Ward LaFrance, Mack, Pierce, and the current truck Seagrave. Artie served on the truck committee for the 1970 Mack Pumper. In February of 1983 Chief Artie Sperr suffered 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns of the head, hands and face and spent 3 weeks in the NCMC burn unit. These injuries occurred while conducting a search and becoming trapped under flaming debris, while battling a row of stores that were on fire on Merrick Ave. He was rescued by fellow firefighters (Ciaccio E-2, Magruder E-4). Later that year, after a long recovery, he returned to active duty, not letting these serious injuries stop his service to this department or his community.
In 1984 Artie and Phyllis became the owners of a local tavern on East Meadow Ave. and named it the Meadowlark Lounge. They owned it for 14 years and it was the site of much camaraderie amongst Department members. In 1994 Phyllis joined Rescue Co. 5 and is now a 30 year member having earned a record number of gold merit pins. After retiring, Artie also assisted Rescue 5 as a daytime chauffeur and answered many alarms together with Phyllis. They both also volunteered at the Fire Dept. of their upstate vacation home in Andes NY.
In 2005 both Artie and Phyllis jointly received an award for their service to the community from the East Meadow Civic Association. Over the years Artie served as Department Corresponding Secretary as well as numerous Committees. He served on the Dept Bylaw Committee and was a Trustee for the East Meadow Firemen’s Benevolent Association for many years.
Family will receive friends Saturday from 12 pm – 4 pm, at Charles J. O’Shea Funeral Home, 2515 N. Jerusalem Rd. in East Meadow, NY. A Firematic Service and a Religious Service will be held at 3:30 pm. A procession past Station 2 and Headquarters will follow directly after the service.
The Officers and members of Engine Co. 2 will deeply mourn Ex Chief Arthur W. Sperr, not just for his 60+ years of service, but for the example he has shown us as an above and beyond Firefighter and member of Engine Company 2 and the East Meadow Fire Department.
Please feel free to share any photos, videos, or stories you may have of Artie.
Rest in peace Chief.
