Lifelong Mineola resident William DaVanzo, a World War II veteran and longtime member of the Mineola Fire Department, died on June 16 after suffering a stroke. He was 89.
DaVanzo was the brother of John DaVanzo, commonly known as “Mr. Mineola,” who died at the age of 92 in March.
Both brothers served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
William DaVanzo served on a destroyer in the South Pacific. John was a D-Day veteran who survived the sinking of the destroyer he served on when it struck a mine off the coast of Normandy on June 8.
When both brothers’ Navy service was completed, they came home to Mineola, formed a moving company, 3 Brothers Moving, with their brother Carmine. The three brothers also opened a gas station on Jericho Turnpike.
Like his older brother, William devoted much of his life to community service.
“He was a great man. He wanted to help people,” Thomas DaVanzo said of his father, William. “He got a lot of people jobs and volunteered for everything.”
William DeVanzo was appointed to Mineola Board of Trustees in 1965, replacing John after he was elected Town of North Hempstead Clerk.
William went on to serve as a trustee until 1973 when became superintendent of the village Department of Public Works, a position he held until 1994.
DeVanzo was a 65-year member of the Mineola Fire Department, a term of volunteer service exceeded in that department only by his brother John’s 67 years of service.
He served as a captain and was an honorary chief of the department.
Louis Santosus, a former chief of the Mineola Fire Department who served for 51 years, said DaVanzo was a captain when he joined the fire department who others looked to.
“He was a ‘go to’ guy. He solved a lot of problems,” Santosus said. “He was a good man. He had a good heart.”
Santosus said those who worked under DaVanzo in the village DPW also admired and respected him.
“Bill taught by example. And I feel fortunate he was in my life,” said village Trustee Paul Cusato, who joined the department in 1967
DaVanzo, he said, was one of the “movers and shakers” in the fire department when he joined the department.
DaVanzo was also a member of the Mineola Knights of Columbus, the Williston Park Kiwanis Club and the Mineola Republican Club, which is now named after his older brother.
“He was always running around,” his son said. “He was very involved in the village. He was loved by many.”
His daughter, Patty, remembered her father as a man who was also devoted to his family.
“He was just the best. He was kind and generous. He was selfless,” she said. “He was an amazing dad and a great grandfather to my children.”
Along with his daughter, Patty, DaVanzo is survived by his two sons, Thomas and William, and several grandchildren, Michael, Annie, Christie, Patrick, Tom, Scott and Laurie and several great grandchildren. He is also survived by three nieces, Judith, Mary and Theresa. Along with his brothers John and Carmine, he was predeceased by his wife, Ann, and his son, Bob.
A wake was held at the Cassidy Funeral Home in Mineola last Thursday and Friday. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated in his memory in Corpus Christi Church last Saturday morning. Interment followed at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury.
