February 6, 2022. Nesconset Fire Department and the Town of Smithtown mourn the loss of Albert John Anderson Sr. Albert J. Anderson, Sr (Al). was born in Brooklyn NY on Sept. 20th, 1945. He joined the U.S. Army in 1965 and became a Green Beret. Al completed two tours of duty in Vietnam. After his second tour, Al married his best friend and “mistress” Barbara and they had son Christopher in June of that same year. Two years later, Als namesake was born. Al and Barbara continued to expand their family with sons Gary, John Benny (JB) and daughters Melissa and Lisa. At the time of his passing, Al was a grandfather to 17 adoring grandchildren.
Al worked a number of jobs including handling security for Pathmark and as an as a Psychiatric Attendant at Central Islip State Hospital. Al was hired by the Town of Smithtown as a Fire Inspector and as a Code Enforcement Officer in 1982. In 1987 the Town merged its law enforcement branches into the Department of Public Safety and Al’s title changed to Fire Marshal. On Aug. 11th, 1999 Al received a commendation from then Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio and State Senator Caesar Trunzo for entering a commercial building on Brooksite Drive in Smithtown that was filling with water due to flash flooding during a storm. Al entered the basement at his own peril, entering waist deep water to search for victims and then helped guide the rest of the buildings occupants out of the building. Al retired in 2004 as a Senior Fire Marshal after 22 years of service with the Town.
Al’s firefighting journey stated when he joined the Nesconset Fire Department in June of 1970. Al served the department for 51 years, starting in Engine Co. 2 where he rose to the rank of Lieutenant. During his active years, Al served in Engine Co. 3, Ladder Co. 2, Fire Police Co. 3, and finishing up his later years as a Safety Officer with Engine Co. 1. Al served in all company officer roles and was elected as an Assistant Chief and then to Chief of Department in 1984 and 1985. Al also served as the department’s Vice President in 1986.
In 1982, Al and three other members of the Nesconset Fire Department were among the first AEMT’s to be certified by the Suffolk County Department of Health.
Rest In Peace Ex-Chief/retired Senior Fire Marshal Albert John Anderson Sr.
The wake, fireman’s service and funeral service for Ex-Chief Anderson was held at Nesconset Fire Department headquarters at 25 Gibbs Pond Road. Al was interred at Calverton National Cemetary on Friday, February 11, 2022.
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