Former Waterbury fire chief dies at age 83
Republican-American (Waterbury, CT)
January 20, 2006
WATERBURY - Ignazio C. DelBuono became interested in firefighting as a boy, living on Highland Avenue across from Engine Co. No. 11. At age 48, he became chief of the Waterbury Fire Department, retiring in 1986 after 17 years in the position.
January 20, 2006
WATERBURY - Ignazio C. DelBuono became interested in firefighting as a boy, living on Highland Avenue across from Engine Co. No. 11. At age 48, he became chief of the Waterbury Fire Department, retiring in 1986 after 17 years in the position.
DelBuono, also known as "I.C. DelBuono," 83, of Longmeadow Drive, died Wednesday at Glendale Center. He was the husband of Geraldine (McLean) DelBuono.
DelBuono was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Waterbury, son of the late Joseph M. and Maria (D'Antini) DelBuono. He graduated from Wilby High School and, before joining the force, worked at the Old Waterbury Manufacturing Co. and served in the Navy during World War II.
He joined the fire department in 1946, became a lieutenant in 1957, captain in September 1965 and battalion chief of the Burton Street firehouse six months later. He was named deputy chief in December 1968 and chief in May 1970.
"He went up the ranks," said his daughter, Lynn DelBuono of Waterbury. "He was in the different fire houses. Maybe five, six different fire houses."
DelBuono rose rapidly through the ranks after the introduction of the civil service exam. He took six tests and earned the top scores for both chief and deputy chief.
He also attended several specialized firefighting schools in Hartford and New Haven before becoming deputy chief, according former Fire Chief Joseph Maloney.
When DelBuono became fire chief at age 48, he was one of the youngest men to ever hold the post. He retired in 1987 after 41 years on the force.
In an interview in 1974, DelBuono said he did so well on his exams because of his immigrant parents' emphasis on education. When he was growing up, he spoke only Italian, his said.
He was also proud of his naval experiences, his daughter said. He joined in the Navy in 1942 and served as a signalman on voyages throughout the world.
In June 1944, his ship was under fire while landing at Utah and Omaha beaches and on the night of July 22, 1945, DelBuono sighted five crewmen clinging to an overturned boat in Manila Bay.
He sounded the alarm to start the rescue. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.
He joined the fire department soon after for similar adventures. "I'm glad I chose it because it's where the action is," he said in 1974.
As a firefighter, he helped rescue a baby from a boat during the flood of 1955 and served during riots on the North End in the 1960s, his daughter said. In 1986, he fell into a hole while fighting a fire at the Century Brass Products Inc. complex on Hamilton Avenue, injuring his hand and knee, and spent three months recovering.
"He did a lot of really really special things," his daughter said.
And in the force, he learned other lessons as well, his daughter said - including how to make the perfect spaghetti sauce.
"He did a lot of cooking in there," said his daughter. "He really learned a lot in the fire department.
He cooked for me and my brother most of our life."
While he was in the department, he also held several part-time jobs, including driving for an eye glass company and a soda company. He continued driving after retirement, delivering mail for the Bank of Boston, his daughter said. His hobbies also included golf.
Besides his wife and daughter, he leaves a son, Stephen DelBuono of Southington; a brother, retired Col. John DelBuono of Springfield, Va.; a sister, Josephine Ponzillo of Waterbury; and three grandsons. A brother, Joseph DelBuono, and a sister, Mary Daloisio, are deceased.
Arrangements: Private funeral Saturday from Colasanto Funeral Home, 932 Bank St., to St. Francis Xavier Church for Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial: All Saints Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
– Compiled by Sydney Schwartz
DelBuono was born Feb. 13, 1922, in Waterbury, son of the late Joseph M. and Maria (D'Antini) DelBuono. He graduated from Wilby High School and, before joining the force, worked at the Old Waterbury Manufacturing Co. and served in the Navy during World War II.
He joined the fire department in 1946, became a lieutenant in 1957, captain in September 1965 and battalion chief of the Burton Street firehouse six months later. He was named deputy chief in December 1968 and chief in May 1970.
"He went up the ranks," said his daughter, Lynn DelBuono of Waterbury. "He was in the different fire houses. Maybe five, six different fire houses."
DelBuono rose rapidly through the ranks after the introduction of the civil service exam. He took six tests and earned the top scores for both chief and deputy chief.
He also attended several specialized firefighting schools in Hartford and New Haven before becoming deputy chief, according former Fire Chief Joseph Maloney.
When DelBuono became fire chief at age 48, he was one of the youngest men to ever hold the post. He retired in 1987 after 41 years on the force.
In an interview in 1974, DelBuono said he did so well on his exams because of his immigrant parents' emphasis on education. When he was growing up, he spoke only Italian, his said.
He was also proud of his naval experiences, his daughter said. He joined in the Navy in 1942 and served as a signalman on voyages throughout the world.
In June 1944, his ship was under fire while landing at Utah and Omaha beaches and on the night of July 22, 1945, DelBuono sighted five crewmen clinging to an overturned boat in Manila Bay.
He sounded the alarm to start the rescue. He was honorably discharged in December 1945.
He joined the fire department soon after for similar adventures. "I'm glad I chose it because it's where the action is," he said in 1974.
As a firefighter, he helped rescue a baby from a boat during the flood of 1955 and served during riots on the North End in the 1960s, his daughter said. In 1986, he fell into a hole while fighting a fire at the Century Brass Products Inc. complex on Hamilton Avenue, injuring his hand and knee, and spent three months recovering.
"He did a lot of really really special things," his daughter said.
And in the force, he learned other lessons as well, his daughter said - including how to make the perfect spaghetti sauce.
"He did a lot of cooking in there," said his daughter. "He really learned a lot in the fire department.
He cooked for me and my brother most of our life."
While he was in the department, he also held several part-time jobs, including driving for an eye glass company and a soda company. He continued driving after retirement, delivering mail for the Bank of Boston, his daughter said. His hobbies also included golf.
Besides his wife and daughter, he leaves a son, Stephen DelBuono of Southington; a brother, retired Col. John DelBuono of Springfield, Va.; a sister, Josephine Ponzillo of Waterbury; and three grandsons. A brother, Joseph DelBuono, and a sister, Mary Daloisio, are deceased.
Arrangements: Private funeral Saturday from Colasanto Funeral Home, 932 Bank St., to St. Francis Xavier Church for Mass at 9:30 a.m. Burial: All Saints Cemetery. There are no calling hours.
– Compiled by Sydney Schwartz
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