A Community Tradition
Thank you one and all, particularly Charlie Balsamo for without you we would not have the
2023 boat to burn! Likewise, it would not be possible without the support of the West Sayville Fire Department,
Suffolk County Parks Department, Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services,
and Community Ambulance Company, Inc.
Additionally, we would like to give a great big thank you to our volunteers, staff,
and community for helping to make this event a great success!
Thank you one and all, particularly Charlie Balsamo for without you we would not have the
2023 boat to burn! Likewise, it would not be possible without the support of the West Sayville Fire Department,
Suffolk County Parks Department, Suffolk County Department of Fire, Rescue & Emergency Services,
and Community Ambulance Company, Inc.
Additionally, we would like to give a great big thank you to our volunteers, staff,
and community for helping to make this event a great success!
Our 2023 Burn Boat
Donated by Charlie Balsamo, built by Dick Carlton in 1967
Donated by Charlie Balsamo, built by Dick Carlton in 1967
Additional 2023 Acknowledgements
In addition to Charlie Balsamo, South Bay Boat Repair, tugboat owner and doner; we would like to thank - Bill Tunney, South Shore Boat Yard, Patchogue, for generously giving a free haul out, dry time and storage of the boat before trucking to the Museum; Sonny, at South Shore, for collision avoidance on a windy, unscripted arrival; Tom and Marty, fearless delivery and towing crew; Pauli, Rob and Pat, South Bay Boat Repair denizens for their cheerful contribution towards transportation costs. To Carl Froelich, who worked the boat as a clammer from 1967 to 1993, and for sharing his wild and wooly bay stories. Respect and thanks to Arthur Sr., Arthur Jr., and Jeanne Volkmann, owners of Patchogue River Realty for decades, literally, of generosity, giving Charlie and his tugboat dockage, and his collection of friends a place for morning coffee in the shop -- a safe harbor for old friends in their golden years. Last but not least, a special thanks to Tom Occhiogrosso and Nick Balsamo (Charlie’s grandson) of Tom’s LI Boat Transport for safely transporting our burn boat from South Shore Boat Yard and blocking her up on the Museum grounds for this special event.
In addition to Charlie Balsamo, South Bay Boat Repair, tugboat owner and doner; we would like to thank - Bill Tunney, South Shore Boat Yard, Patchogue, for generously giving a free haul out, dry time and storage of the boat before trucking to the Museum; Sonny, at South Shore, for collision avoidance on a windy, unscripted arrival; Tom and Marty, fearless delivery and towing crew; Pauli, Rob and Pat, South Bay Boat Repair denizens for their cheerful contribution towards transportation costs. To Carl Froelich, who worked the boat as a clammer from 1967 to 1993, and for sharing his wild and wooly bay stories. Respect and thanks to Arthur Sr., Arthur Jr., and Jeanne Volkmann, owners of Patchogue River Realty for decades, literally, of generosity, giving Charlie and his tugboat dockage, and his collection of friends a place for morning coffee in the shop -- a safe harbor for old friends in their golden years. Last but not least, a special thanks to Tom Occhiogrosso and Nick Balsamo (Charlie’s grandson) of Tom’s LI Boat Transport for safely transporting our burn boat from South Shore Boat Yard and blocking her up on the Museum grounds for this special event.
Memories of past events ...
photography by Ryan Sweeney & Gary O'Rourke.
photography by Ryan Sweeney & Gary O'Rourke.