Heroes 2020: Shon Matthews, R

Paramedic Shon Matthews worked in LifeNet’s Texarkana Division since October of 2007. Prior to LifeNet, Shon spent nearly two decades working at Alumax Mill Products, as both union president and a finishing operator before a family accident inspired Shon to change career paths.

Within a few months of the accident, Shon joined the Booker Bridge Volunteer Fire Department in Miller County, Arkansas, as a first responder. After meeting a paramedic who encouraged him to go into EMS, Shon decided to start EMT school and began working for LifeNet EMS part-time in 2007 as an EMT while continuing his education to become a paramedic.

In March of 2009, Shon joined LifeNet full-time, and a few years later, he was promoted to a field training officer role. He quickly proved himself as an asset in that position, and in May of 2013, when one of the company’s Operations Managers (OMs) was deployed overseas, Shon was selected to temporarily fill that role for nine months.

When it was time for Shon to return to his role working as a ground paramedic, the LifeNet Air medical helicopter in Texarkana had a position open. Shon was asked to fill-in as a flight medic.

In June of 2016, Shon was offered a full-time role as a flight medic on LifeNet Air. It was a job he had dreamed about having since starting in EMS. Less than a year later, a full-time opening came up for an Operations Manager (OM) role. He was nominated for the  Star of Life award in 2019. Outside of EMS, Shon was a devoted family man. He adored his wife, Jennifer, and their children, Nicole and Derek.

LifeNet Paramedic Shon Matthews, 48, passed away on Monday, November 2, 2020 after contracting COVID-19.

Heroes 2020: RIP Moshe Herzog & David Schneebalb

Rockland County NY lost two devoted members of their EMS community early Monday morning, September 21, 2020. While traveling home from a Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) celebration they were in a tragic and fatal auto accident on the NYS Thruway near Suffern.

Faist Ambulance Corps announced the passing of these two volunteers: “1st Lt. Moshe Herzog and EMT David Schneebalg have answered their last call. They were dedicated members of the EMS community and served with honor and dignity. They will be missed. Rest in peace we will take it from here.”

David Schneebalg & Moishe Herzog

“The tragic loss of 27-year-old Moshe Herzog and 26-year-old David Schneebalg is heartbreaking,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “Not only were they young, outstanding examples of what it means to serve one’s community and to devote oneself to others, but they were described by friends and coworkers as giving, loving, and caring people whose lives were tragically cut short.”

Senator David Carlucci called this tragedy, “A terrible loss for our community. Moshe Herzog and David Schneebalg were two young men taken far too soon. They selflessly served Rockland, responding to dangerous situations to save lives. My heartfelt condolences go out to their families, friends and the entire EMS community.“

Rockland County Executive Ed Day ordered all flags in the county to be lowered to half-staff in honor of the 2 volunteers. Both men were members of multiple ambulance corps. Between them they belonged to William Paul Faist Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Haverstraw Ambulance Corps, Inc., and Chaverim of Rockland. 

~~~~~

the following was shown during the Memorial Service for Moishe Herzog…

 

 

 

 

Heroes 2020 ~ Nikima Thompson, RIP

Nikima Thompson, a mother of four died May 4 after being diagnosed with the virus on April 2. She was 41.

A dispatcher for the Broward Sheriff’s Office, Nikima Thompson, died of Coronavirus.  Nikima was a dedicated 16-year veteran of BSO and the first communications operator to die in the line of duty in Florida.

Thompson was born in Miami and graduated from Miami Norland Senior High School in 1996. She joined the sheriff’s office in 2003.

“She was very vibrant, entertaining, fun,” said Joanne Alvarez, the Business Representative for the Federation of Public Employees, BSO Civilian Unit.

Dispatchers have always played an essential role in emergency medical services (EMS). At its most basic, the role of the dispatcher has been to identify the problem and the location of the patient, and then identify an ambulance that can be sent to the location.

HEROES 2020: PAUL CARY, RIP

THE AMBULNZ FAMILY IS DEVASTATED BY THE
LOSS OF COLORADO PARAMEDIC, PAUL CARY

Paul Cary was part of Ambulnz’s State of New York COVID Response team who volunteered for assignment at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Paul’s career is best defined by his kindness and service to others during his time as a Paramedic at Ambulnz, and before that as a Firefighter/Paramedic of more than 30 years with the Aurora, Colorado Fire Department.

“Paul Cary, 66, left Colorado Springs with colleagues from the national ambulance company Ambulnz and began working in New York on April 1″, said Colorado Governor Polis. “Cary contracted coronavirus during his work in New York, and died from Covid-19 on April 30. His body was brought back to Colorado on Sunday, May 3”.

“He risked his own health and safety to protect others and left this world a better place,” Cary family’s statement read. “We are at peace knowing that Paul did what he loved and what he believed in, right up until the very end.”

Paul made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and will forever be remembered as extremely dependable and completely devoted to his work.

 

Heroes 2020: Dave Stone (RIP)

David Allen Stone
passed away on Tuesday April 28, 2020.
He was 67 years old.

David Stone was a truly selfless human being and hero. He gave back to the community everyday as a Safety, Security and Emergency Preparedness Specialist  dedicated to the safety of staff, patients and visitors at Montefiore-Nyack Hospital. Dave was a liaison to EMS, Fire, and Police for Rockland County (NY) Emergency Preparedness. He brought with him a wealth of knowledge, experience and professionalism after a 30-year career with FDNY-EMS retiring as a Lieutenant and 9/11 First Responder. Prior to that Dave was a Director at Elmhurst Hospital.

A man who gave his life to the emergency services.
He was maintaining his 9-11 related illness
and lost his battle to COVID19.

 

~ David Carlucci, NYS Senator

Book Review: The Santangelos by Jackie Collins

In memory of Jackie Collins ~

The Santangelos: A Novel

A vicious hit. A vengeful enemy. A drug addled Colombian club owner. A sex crazed Italian family. And the ever powerful Lucky Santangelo has to deal with them all, while Max-her teenage daughter is becoming The “It” girl in Europe’s modeling world. And her Kennedyesque son, Bobby, is being set up for a murder he didn’t commit. But Lucky can deal. Always strong and unpredictable with her husband, Lennie, by her side she lives up to the family motto-Never cross a Santangelo.

Lucky rules. The Santangelos always come out on top. An epic family saga filled with love, lust, revenge and passion.

Amazon Customer Review

     Jackie Collins’ THE SANTANGELOS gives us another thrilling chapter of one of fiction’s favorite families   by Cyrus Webb

 We had to wait a little longer this year to get another Jackie Collins’ novel, but I can tell you that THE SANTANGELOS was DEFINITELY worth the wait.

Jackie has a way of thrusting you in the lives of her characters, making you feel their desires, their hatred and the love that comes from one of the most beloved families in fiction.

In this book we are able to see the extent that Lucky is willing to go in order to protect her own, but we are also given the reminder that some things are out of our control. When tragedy hits the Santangelos family will it break them apart or bring them closer together? That is one of the most fascinating layers of the book.

I also love the fact that Max finds her own “voice” so to speak, and come to rely not only on the strength of her mother but the words of her grandfather as well. “You’re a Santangelo—an’ Santangelos don’t quit.”

The other interesting things about this novel is that it reminds us that in a digital age EVERYTHING is fair game and the truth is not always something that others feel the need to spotlight. Bobby Santangelo Stanislopoulos realizes this firsthand, and he has to live with the thoughts of others thanks to the world wide web.

This book allows other characters to step up and be noticed, giving readers something to look forward to when it comes to the future of the Santangelo family in other books. Whether this is your first book to read about the family or you’ve been a fan for some time, you won’t be able to forget.

About the Author

Jackie Collins started writing as a teenager, making up steamy stories her schoolmates paid to devour. Her first book, “The World is Full of Married Men,” became a sensational bestseller because of its open sexuality and the way it dealt honestly with the double standard. After that came “The Stud,” “Sinners,” “The Love Killers,” “The World is Full of Divorced Women,” “The Bitch,” “Lovers And Gamblers,” “Chances,” and then the international sensation, “Hollywood Wives” — a #1 New York Times bestseller, which was made into one of ABC’s highest-rated miniseries starring Anthony Hopkins and Candice Bergen. She wrote more than 30 books during her career.

Ms. Collins passed away Saturday, September 19, 2015 at the age of 77 after battling breast cancer.

Jacqueline Jill “Jackie” Collins was born on Oct. 4, 1937, in London. Survivors include her three daughters, Tracy, Tiffany and Rory, and her sister, Joan.