Our Mailman John Filashone saves life

Mark Valentino and Mike Catalano

Robbie Lettieri nominated by the Smithtown Children's Foundation

John Filashone Is a true hero After hearing cries for help while working his route from a man who was bleeding out, fashioned a tourniquet from a cord a saved his life.

Mark Valentino and Mike Catalano

I nominate John Fillachone, my mailman. His response to a cry for help was life saving. He not only called for help but, stepped in with quick action to stop any further bleeding and comfort a fellow neighbor in distress. Without his help the man most likely would have bled to death. He is my hometown hero!

Mark Valentine and mike catalano! They showed us that it doesn't matter what age you are....anyone can make a significant difference in the lives of others when you devote yourself to something the way the boys have.

I've had a few folks ask me about Robbie Lettieri and why we nominated him. You can read more about him in the latest Dimensions in Living section of The Smithtown News and then you'll understand why the Smithtown Children's Foundation gave him our highest honor, the Kaylee Rivers Courage Award and why we feel he should be our hometown hero.

article you inquired about... it was from the April 2011 edition of Our Town - St. James.

St. James Letter Carrier Hailed as a Hero

  St. James Letter Carrier John Filacchione had just pulled up to begin a park-and-loop on his route when he heard a loud male voice frantically calling, “Somebody call 911!”
  The 15-year postal veteran saw a horrific scene in a customer’s driveway – a man bleeding profusely and holding his arm in severe pain. Nearby was a power table saw he had been operating when a terrible accident occurred.
  Unsure of what to do, Filacchione rushed over and tied an electrical extension cord as an impromptu tourniquet above the man’s wound to stop the bleeding. He called 911 and then kept the accident victim calm as they waited for help to arrive. Fortunately, after emergency surgery at a local hospital, the man survived.
  “John came running to help me and later said he’d never called 911 before,” said the fortunate customer, who lost two pints of blood in the mishap. He reports that he is able to move all his fingers and that the surgeons told him that is a very good sign. “I am very lucky that John was there when he was. The doctors said if not for his quick action, I could easily have bled to death.”
  The customer described his experience and regard for Filacchione in one sentence: “John is a true hero for saving my life.”

St. James Letter Carrier
John Filacchione

Ruth Garthe

Greetings,

I am almost two years older than Mark and I hold even more years over Mike. I ran track with both of them in highschool and Mark quickly became one of my best friends. He always used to look up to me, both figuratively and literally, I remember when he wasn't even tall enough to reach my armpit, and I am a big part of who he is today. Now that he and Mike have grown up and matured, (Mark is now a good inch taller than me and I am not short), I can say they are my heroes. Their incredibly dedication to the community is admirable, what they contribute to running and their teams on a day to day basis is beyond words. Outside of the team they also volenteer, such as when they make sandwiches for the less fortunate every year. They are both active in clubs and excellent students. Their dedication is most evident with the fruition of the Pat Harmon Run, all Smithtown athletes love and miss our coach Pat Harmon, but few have what it takes to pull such an incredible event together. Over the past two years they have (with a little help from their friends, the people they influence day by day), raised over 30,000 dollars for cancer research. That is impressive, but this value isn't why I think they should be hometown hero. I believe they should be hometown hero because of what they do for everyone they know and love day by day. They are two fantastic characters, and the inspiration and love they spread is unrivaled. A single event doesnt make a hero. It takes a lifetime.

Michael Catalano and Mark Valentino

Tell that to the pilot that landed the plane on the hudson river

Mark Valentino and Mike Catalano! They are such dedicated individuals who deserve recognition!

Mark Valentino, Alex Barnes and Mike Catalano.

I nominate Joe at San Remo Pharmacy. He is knowledgeable, compassionate and never too busy to help those in need with any question related to their medical condition or medication inquiries. Once he had someone deliver medication to me when my child was too ill to leave the house and I had no way to get the medication needed. He is one of the kindest people I know. Always a smile, always caring and always willing to help a neighbor out as best as he can. No big business can give genuine personal service like he does. His staff is superb as well. Thank you for being our neighborhood hero Joe! We know we can count on you to take care of our needs.

I believe that Emily Nykolyn should be considered for Smithtown Hero based on the fact of her supreme awesomeness in the field of aiding and rescuing her fellow peers and animalia. She can run through fires unharmed and save all kittens left astray. ONLY SHE CAN PREVENT FOREST FIRES!... her will is unmatched. her pride is untamed. her knowledge is unprecedented. She makes fire with her hands. Please vote emily nykolyn, she knows how to do. - This message is approved by the board and director thusly named, Lisa Boccio. Meow.