Raia Bill Would Name Portion of 25A for Chuck Varese

A bill proposed by Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C – East Northport) has passed the Assembly.

The legislation would designate that a portion of state Route 25A be named after Northport Fire Department volunteer firefighter Charles (Chuck) Varese. Varese was killed in 2005 on Route 25A while on his way to work onh is motorcycle when he was struck by anther driver. At the time, his father, Robert "Beefy" Varese was Northport's chief and his uncle was Centerport's chief. His uncle was one of the emergency personnel who responded to the scene.

“On April 15, 2005, we lost a hero,” said Raia. “I believe that it is very important that we honor and memorialize Charles’s life. Charles Varese was, in every sense of the word, a valiant role model in our community. Men like Charles are rare, and his selfless acts of service as a firefighter should not be forgotten.”

A companion bill also passed the Senate on June 14; it must still be signed by Governor Cuomo. Once enacted into law, the highway will be called the “Charles Varese Memorial Highway.”