Huge Outpouring At Services for Thomas Lateulere, Beloved Former Fire Chief

Hundreds are expected to come from near and far to pay their respects to Thomas Lateulere, a beloved former Wading River fire chief and Suffolk County chief of training and education for the regional emergency medical services council.

A wake will be held Thursday night from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with a firematic service at 7:30 p.m. at the Wading River Fire Department headquarters at 1503 North Country Road.

A funeral service will follow Friday at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Roman Catholic Church, located at 1488 North Country Road. Burial will be at the Wading River Cemetery, North Wading River Road.

There will be no parking near the fire department for the firematic service. Shuttle service will be provided from:
- Shoreham-Wading River High School, 250 Route 25A
- Wading River Elementary School (cars and vans only)
- Overflow parking for fire apparatus will be in the grass field opposite CVS Pharmacy on the north side of Route 25A, east of Wading River Manor Road

A traffic advisory has been issued: Due to the anticipated public safety response, traffic in the vicinity of Route 25A and Wading River Manor Road will be heavier than usual on Thursday evening. The following road closures will be in effect:
- Thursday, 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., North Country Road from Remsen Road to North Wading River Road
- Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., North Country Road from Remsen Road to North Wading River Road. North Wading River Road from North Country Road to Cambridge Court.

Photo courtesy of Wading River Fire Department.