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NORWALK
By STEVE KOBAK
Norwalk Hour Staff Writer
July 1, 2009

For 84 years straight, at least one member of Kenneth Bovi's family has served in the Norwalk Fire Department but the streak ended early Wednesday morning when Bovi finished his shift.  After 35 years in the department, Bovi, 59, retired from his position as nozzle man but he leaves behind a family legacy that started in 1925.
"It's a young man's job. No question about it," said Bovi. "I didn't want to leave but my body said it's time."
Eight-and-a-half decades ago, Bovi's uncle George Williamson became a firefighter. Bovi's father Edwin Bovi and his uncle Frank Stratton followed suit in the 1940s. Bovi joined the department in 1974 and, for a few years, fought fires with his father.  "A great bunch of old timers taught me everything I knew," he said. "Hopefully, I passed on some of that. We have a good group of young fellas who are dedicated to doing their job."  Firefighter Lou D'Acunto, who worked with Bovi for four years, said the 35-year veteran taught him to be "cool under pressure."  "Kenny has seen many fires and been in many situations," he said.  Technology changed during Bovi's time with the department but the tools and skills needed to fight fires remained the same.  "There's only so many ways you can fight a fire," he said. "We still have the ax, the wooden ladder and the hose."  Bovi fought one of the largest fires in his tenure on a windy night in the mid-1970s when a tool shed fire at Vinco Marina spread to 125 boats.  "Once it got going, it went from one to the other. When the wind stopped, we were able to gain control of the fire," he said. "When the fire was out, all that was left were the engine blocks. There was no sign of what you would recognize as a boat."  Lt. Marty Bologna, Bovi's supervisor for the past six years, remembers Bovi climbing through a window with the fire hose to "go in and get the job done" before the firefighters could pry a door open.  "As far as attacking fires, he was fearless, enthusiastic and more than willing to get the job done."  Bologna said the department is losing much more than a dedicated firefighter with Bovi's retirement.  "Unfortunately, we lose the lineage," he said. "Whenever a senior man like him retires, he takes 35 years of experience with him."  Bovi said he won't miss working on holidays and weekends but he will miss the camaraderie of his fellow firefighters.  "I liked the job. It's not for everybody," he said. "You go to work and, five minutes later, you could be in a basement filled with smoke someplace and you can't see your hand in front of you. Every day is a challenge."  Bovi's family may someday start the streak again, as his son Thomas could potentially pick up the helmet someday.  "Like all 5-year-olds, he wants to be a fireman or a cowboy or something like that," Bovi said.