More than 60 people gathered at the Sailing Camp in Oak Bluffs on Sunday to celebrate the long careers of five now-retired Oak Bluffs firefighters. Retirees Captain Allan “Buddy” deBettencourt (56 years of service), Deputy Chief James Moreis Sr. (36 years), Assistant Chief Bruce O’Donnell (28 years) all shared memories, received plaques, and enjoyed a meal cooked by Max Moreis. Retired firefighters Pete Forend (a former chief, 29 years) and Tony Ferreira (deputy chief, 30 years) were not able to attend but were also feted.
Oak Bluffs fire chief John Rose told the Times in a phone call that typically when volunteer firefighters retire, the department throws a party for them. Recently, a combination of scheduling problems and budget issues resulted in five men who hadn’t yet been properly sent off. So Chief Rose decided it was time to rectify the situation. “It’s important that people are recognized for the service they gave the department, and us,” he said.
Max Moreis, grandson of retired deputy chief James Moreis, and a trained cook who now works as an EMT, prepared roast pork tenderloin wrapped in bacon and a chicken alfredo pasta dish. The men were joined by their families, dozens of members of the Oak Bluffs department, and fire chiefs from most other Island towns, including John Schilling (Tisbury), Peter Shemeth (Edgartown), Manny Estrella (West Tisbury), and David Norton (Chilmark).
The men, Chief Rose reported, were “thrilled, even emotional. Buddy said he didn’t really want to retire; it was just time. Most of these guys have worked for the department more than half their lives. They’re all volunteers — all of them. They’ve given up who knows how many hours away from their families in all those years.”