Wading River Fire District Commissioner and ex-chief Thomas Lateulere died Monday, June 27, 2016 after an illness. He was 52 years old.
He was born in Brooklyn on Aug. 29, 1963, the son of Lawrence and JoAnn Lateulere. He grew up in Wading River, attended Riverhead public schools and was a graduate of Riverhead High School. Lateulere has been a dedicated member of the Wading River Fire Department since 1981, according to Wading River Fire District secretary Steve Donnelly.
He was the chief of training and education for Suffolk County Emergency Medical Services.
“As an EMS educator, he was responsible for training hundreds of thousands of EMTs in Suffolk County,” said Greg Meyer, a lifelong friend who served as an assistant chief when Lateulere was chief of the department.
“Every single EMT, Advanced Life Support and paramedic in Suffolk County went through this guy,” Meyer said. “He took Suffolk County to the forefront of emergency medical services throughout the state.”
He was one of the original flight medics for Stony Brook University Hospital, Meyer said.
As word of Lateulere’s passing spread through the county’s EMS community Monday, dozens of people and groups posted and shared tributes and remembrances on social media.
“We join in the great sadness with all of our Fire and EMS family as we reflect on the loss of our Chief Tom Lateulere today,” Suffolk EMS posted on its Facebook page Monday afternoon.
“Tom was an integral member of our community and touched so many lives through his service and leadership. A true friend, professional and wonderful person. On Behalf of SUFFOLK REMSCO, Our thoughts go out to all of Tom’s family and friends,” Suffolk EMS wrote.
“Please accept my personal — and Southampton Hospital’s — heartfelt sympathies on Tom’s passing,” wrote Robert Ross, vice president for community and government relations at Southampton Hospital. “It is an extremely sad day for the entire EMS community and for all of Suffolk County.”
“He was my EMT-CC instructor 1998-1999,” wrote Ed David. “I learned a lot from him, watched him move up, and contributed to the advances of EMS in Suffolk County. Thank you, Tom Lateulere. Your contribution, service, leadership, mentorship, will be missed.”
Predeceased by his father, he is survived by his mother Joann Lateulere of Wading River and by Raegin Kellerman.
Visitation will take place at Wading River Fire Department headquarters, 1503 North Country Road, Wading River, today and tomorrow from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m.
A funeral mass will be offered on Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist R.C. Church in Wading River. Interment will follow at Wading River Cemetery.
Due to the limited availability of on-site parking, additional parking is available at Wading River Elementary School, Wading River-Manor Road, Wading River and at Shoreham Wading River High School, Route 25A, Wading River. Shuttle service to the firehouse will be provided.
Arrangements were entrusted to the care of Alexander-Tuthill Funeral Home in Wading River.