It is with deep regret and sorrow that the Chiefs of the Cutchogue Fire Department, announce that 66 year member, Ex-Chief William Midgley has answered his last alarm.

Bill passed away peacefully on Friday night at his home in the company of his family.

Bill served as Chief of the Cutchogue Fire Department in 1967 and 1968 and at the time of his passing was Cutchogue Fire Department's second most senior Ex-Chief.

For the past 66 years Bill remained an active firefighter, and until recently continued to serve as an active member of the CFD Fire Police Squad.

Bill was also known for his involvement the North Fork Volunteer Fireman’s Association, and organization that he served as proudly president.

Ex-Chief Midgley was a proud navy veteran serving on the USS Enterprise during the end of World War II. He was a Member of the Griswold-Terry-Glover American Legion post in Southold.

In January of 2013 Ex-Chief Midgley was featured in a Suffolk Times article highlighting his service to our country. Please click here: http://www.cutchoguefiredept.org/apps/public/news/newsView.cfm?News_ID=495

A Funeral service took place on September 30th at the Cutchogue United Methodist Church. Rev. Thomas MacLeod officiating.

Bill was laid to rest at the Cutchogue Cemetery with Fire Dept & US Navy honors. He was brought to his final resting place aboard CFD's antique 8-5-2A.

Below is the resume read by Chief Berkoski at the fireman's service:

William Midgley, Jr. joined the United Fire Co. No. 1 of the Cutchogue Fire Department
on May 7, 1948, and is listed on the Company Rolls as our 181st member.

Bill served as Assistant to the Lieutenant of the Utility Truck in 1949 and 1950 and
Lieutenant of this apparatus in 1964. He was appointed to the Assistant Driver List from
1952 to 1964.

He was elected as Lieutenant of the Hose Car from 1951 through 1953 and Chief Driver
in 1959.

Bill led the Company as Captain from 1960 through 1962 and was elected as 1st
Assistant Chief in 1965 and 1966. Followed by Chief of the Department in 1967 and
1968.

Bill’s training accomplishments include:
the Advance First Aid course in 1962, 1965 and 1970
the Suffolk County Radio Course in 1969
certified in CPR in 1977
Fire Police Oath in 1988
Fire Police certificate in 2006
Incident Command certificate in 1993
LIRR Emergency certificate in 2009

Bill was elected as Captain of the Rescue Squad from 1964 to 1966 and again from
1970 to 1972.

Bill served as the Cutchogue Fire District Secretary in 1973 and 1974 and Company
Treasurer in1991 and 1992.

He ran the Parade and Tournament in 1971 and was also selected as “Fireman of the
Year” for that year.

Bill was one of our delegates to the North Fork Volunteer Firemen’s Association where,
as a respected member, served as a North Fork Parade and Tournament Judge and
President of the association.

Bill remained an active member of the United Fire Company #1 and served in the Fire
Police Squad for many years until his failing health took its toll.

William Midgley, Jr., for more than 66 years, was a dedicated member of the Cutchogue
Fire Department offering his time and talents to the protection of life and the preservation of property of the residents of Cutchogue and exhibited the true spirit of a Volunteer Fireman in the performance of his duties and the tasks assigned to him. We gather here tonight to honor the memory of our departed Brother Fireman, William Midgley, Jr., and to pay tribute to his many years of faithful service to The United Fire Co. No. 1, the Cutchogue Fire Department, and to the community.

He will be missed.

The Chiefs, Officers and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department would like to extend our heartfelt condolences to the entire Midgley family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time.