Tony Skane?

[kim]

I think I know this guy: uticaod.net/obits/obit_detail.php?ID=7245514

I'm pretty sure that when I took first aid back at MVCC in '89 or '90, he taught it. Does anyone know if it's the same guy?

Yes, I check the obits ever day to see if I know anyone. Does that mean I'm getting old?

[clipper220]

Tony Skane was the one that you are thinking of. He was a wonderful and dedicated retired casptain from the Utica Fire Department. In his retirement he became very active with the Red Cross. He taught first aid, CPR, and also became an EMT instructor at MVCC. I took my original EMT course from him at MVCC in Rome. I later went on to become an EMT instructor and CPR and first aid instructor myself. Back then, we included the requirements of the Red Cross Advanced First Aid course into the EMT course. Anyone not able to pass the EMT course was given the opportunity to take the certification test to be certified in advanced first aid. Many of us were Dual certified to teach both courses and did so. I taught many first aid courses to volunteer fire departments prior to the advent of the first responders course, as well as teaching EMT courses around the area and at BOCES in Verona. Tony Skane was the one that suggested that program and promoted it. He is responsible for many following in his footsteps in the emergency medical field. He was my role model and respected friend.

Tony was a great guy. He had sustained some bad burns to his hands at a fire in the city, and was plagued with problems that involved scar tissue forming webs between his fingers, which constantly had to be treated surgically. He loved people, loved the city, and people loved him. He will be sadly missed by those of us who benefitted from his walking among us.

Rest in peace "cap". We love ya and miss ya.

[Ralph]

WOW!! I took my first EMT course from him also, back in the 70's at M.V.C.C..

I will always remember him for his over use of the word proficient.
Bu the was a helluva instructor.

God Bless you Tony, Rest in Peace.

[clipper220]

He taught with a man named Lew something from Rome. That man was also amazing. He was in his 80's had a colostomy and still served on the ski patrol at Woods Valley and skied daily in the winter. I can't remember Lew's last name, but he was active with the Red Cross Rome office.

I also remember Tony's use of the word "proficient" haha. I guess it is because there was not room for "unproficient" in that particular job. He did use the word proficient, quite proficiently though, in stressing the need for proficiency. LOL

When I taught the courses at BOCES in Verona, and assisted in refreshers and in administering exams at other locations, I may have crossed paths with ya ralph. I was a firefighter at the base at the time., but was quite involved in the EMT program in the late 70's and early 80's. I worked for Jr Gordon for a while at Hinckley and Wurz ambulance, mainly because I personally didn't get along with Kenny Kunkel because of issues when I lived on West St near their garage years ago. I was not impressed with H&W and only stayed a short time. My integrity and reputation were more important than working for him. I worked with a person that I later found out was a convicted felon, and quit when he was found to have stolen the wallet of a man that died in the ambulance and was DOA at St E's. Pretty low, huh? I happened to drive that particular call and the other person was in the back with the patient. I knew nothing about it until all hell broke loose when the family found the wallet and money was missing from the father's dead body. I quit immediately , and gave Jr hell for not telling me I was working with a felon, when I had a security clearance on my job at the base and didn't need any such aspersions cast on my integrity and honesty.

[clipper220]

Just remembered Lew's last name, it was Lew Hornbeck. He taught the course for quite a while with Tony.

[Ralph]

I vaguely remember Lew. I was only 17 at the time and was disappointed after taking the course as I couldn't get certified until I was 18. Back then all we had was that one orange EMT book!!

It's funny you living practically around the corner. My aunt lived in right next door to them over there, she finally moved herself out to Whitesboro.

Small world.

[kim]

I had a tough time with his class, but I was taking it as a PE elective AND it was held from 6 - 9 on a day when I had been in school since 11:00. I was pretty much exhausted by the time I got this his class!