Syosset Fire Department Mourns 71-Year Member 'Lil' Mootsie'

SYOSSET, NY — The Syosset Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own after James "Lil' Mootsie" Thomas, a 71-year member of the department, honorary chief and U.S. Army veteran, died on Wednesday. He was 90.

Hundreds of fire fighters and friends gathered at the department headquarters Sunday evening to pay their respects to Thomas, who remained an active member of the department at 90 years old, officials told Patch.

The youngest of nine children, Thomas was born April 1, 1929, and grew up in the Hicksville area, according to his obituary. At age 12 he delivered newspapers for Newsday, later working for the Jericho Water District for more than three decades and retiring in 1994.

Even from a young age, Thomas was a standout athlete, participating in track and basketball, and fighting as a 112-pound sub novice boxer, according to his obituary. In 1952, he won the Golden Gloves Long Island Championship. Later in life, he won 1st place in track and field events at the Senior Olympics in his 80s.

In addition to being an athlete, Thomas was known as a guy who made others laugh and had a strong sense of community. He joined the Syosset Fire Department in 1948 and the Syosset Fire Drill Team a year later. He quickly climbed the ranks, becoming lieutenant, captain and eventually honorary chief. In 1997, he became recognized as the oldest ever to be involved. Thomas also served as a fire police officer.

Thomas lived by the motto: "If you take something on, do the best you can. Or, don’t take it on."

Thomas was reposed at the fire department, located at 50 Cold Spring Rd, Syosset on Sunday. A funeral service will be held at St. Edward the Confessor RC Church on Monday at 9:45 a.m. Thomas will be buried at St. Patrick’s Cemetery on Chicken Valley Road in Upper Brookville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Thomas' memory are requested for the Syosset Fire Department.