SEA ISLE CITY – On March 2, Lou Minchelli, of Sea Isle City, celebrated his 90th birthday. He received what every big kid would love to have, a fire truck.
Why this was extra special was that Minchelli is a retired Fire Department New York lieutenant firefighter from the Bronx, New York.
According to a release, he worked there during what could known as “the war years” during the 1960s and 1970s.
That service followed his time in the Air Force during the Korean War. During his firefighter career, Minchelli was awarded the Henry D. Bookmen medtal for saving two children from a burning building.
After retiring, he moved his family to Sea Isle City and became known as “Lou the hot dog man.” He had a successful 20 years in the hot dog cart business at the 85th Street beach.
On his birthday, Minchelli got a big surprise, a 1975 Mack 600 series pumper fire truck much like the one he worked on.
It has a lot extra touches personalized for him. To make it extra special, at the small birthday party with friends and family, the surprise fire truck gift delivered six firefighter co-workers, he worked with during his career.
It was a surprise to all who saw the truck for the first time and made memories to last a lifetime.
This is a gift that keeps on giving. The plan is to take Minchelli to car shows and parades with his new fire truck, according to Joe Minchelli.
