Community Corner

Volunteer Since 1974 Sees Port Jeff Fire Department as Extended Family

Don Given will march in this year's July 4 parade with department he's been a part of for over 35 years.

The is organizing the July 4 parade this year as it does every year and many of the volunteers will be on hand to march including Don Given, a local whose been in the department since 1974.

Not only has Given been a volunteer in the fire department for over 35 years. He started out as a junior volunteer and he became a full fledged Port Jefferson Fire Department volunteer in 1976.

He’s so local that he works as a chef at , the same hospital where he was born. He will also be marching in the July 4 parade with the fire department this year just as he’s always done.

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According to his wife, Don always jokes that “he’s come far in life.”

“But my husband has the best attitude about life and living and working locally,” said Denice Given. “He's taught me a lot. We are total townies and grew up here.”

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It's obvious that she has learned something from her husband about being a local. performs at many bars in the village, has performed at weddings for many local families and has done Port Jefferson free concerts. She also works at the part time as a receptionist.

Given says that she and her husband love the parade and love being a part of the village.

“Don will also admit that the fire department had a huge impact on his life and has made him who is he today,” said Given of her husband.

His father died when he was 7 years old and he was brought up in a house on Thompson Street without a father figure.

“The Mike Lees and the Desmond O'Sullivans had an incredible influence on him,” said Given. “The fire department is like one big family. Very supportive of each other."


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