Remembering
Walter J. Wells
In the early 1950’s as suburbia was expanding, residents of New York City were looking to raise their families in the suburbs. The local communities were beginning to boom with the invasion of new homes, young families and veterans of World War II looking to settle in. One such family was Micki and Walter Wells. They came to Hicksville and moved onto Moeller St. with their daughters.
Walter, a veteran of the “silent service” served in the Pacific aboard SS329, a submarine called the Chub. He wasn’t here very long before he found out that the sirens and air horn going off day after day was the local (Hicksville) Volunteer Fire Department sounding out their alarms for members to respond to the emergencies. So on June 9, 1953, Walter was issued badge #538, and assigned to Chemical Co. #3.
By 1961, he was elected to serve as a 2nd Lieutenant for 2 years, then 1st Lieutenant for the next 2 years and Captain in 1965 and 1966. Early on he also became a member of the Fire Dept.’s Rescue Squad. Throughout these years, he helped to encourage the new members and mentor them in their responsibilities as fire fighters, chauffeur and the like. The members were always willing to listen to the stories of what life was like aboard a submarine during war time as part of the Pacific Fleet.
In 1964, he was also elected to be the 2nd V.P. of the Hicksville F.D. Benevolent Association and then President in 1966 and 1967.
In 1988, Hicksville Fire Department organized its Fire Police Squad. He once again was quick to answer the calling and serve the community as a charter member. In 1991 he was elected its 2nd Lieutenant, spent two years at 1st Lieutenant, and then Captain for the years 1995 and 1996.
On Dec. 11, 2013, Ex-Captain Walter Wells answered his final alarm and was reunited with his loving wife Michelina (Micki) at heaven’s door. His family and friends will miss this soft spoken 90 year old father, grandfather and great grandfather who faithfully served his country and community with valor and distinction.
