Crime & Safety

In Memory of Member, Putnam Lake Fire Department Seeks Food Donations

Non-perishable items may be dropped off at 72 Fairfield Drive in Patterson.

Family and friends are paying tribute to a young man who died about a week and a half ago by continuing his altruistic ways.

Loved ones recently said goodbye to Matt Oliveri, a 28-year-old Putnam Lake resident who died suddenly on Feb. 11. Since Thursday, 17 Facebook users liked a Facebook post from Putnam Lake Fire Department (PLFD) First Assistant Chief James Gagliardo, Jr. It asks local folks to donate food to a Patterson church in tribute to Oliveri, a former member and president of the department.

"Matt was a huge participant of collecting food for the New Life Christian Church ... Food Pantry," the post, which appears on the Kelly's Corner Facebook page, reads. "His nickname was the 'Food Dude.' Starting this afternoon we are looking to see if we can collect enough food to fill his Chevy pick-up [truck] with food to donate to the pantry." 

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The collection is taking place at the Putnam Lake firehouse, at 72 Fairfield Drive in Patterson. Organizers are accepting non-perishable foods. 

A similar message appears on the PLFD's website. Two photos of Oliveri and messages of remembrance sit at the top of the page.

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"'Matty O' will forever be missed," the site reads. "Always a hero, forever our angel."

Oliveri attended Brewster High School and served in the U.S. Coast Guard. He was an Iraq veteran.

For more information about the collection, call 845-279-8480, extension 207.


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