Town of Babylon Supervisor Rich Schaffer recently joined with Councilman Tom Donnelly and Receiver of Taxes Corinne DiSomma for a street renaming ceremony in honor of the late Philip Canfora Sr. of West Babylon. Canfora served as the Chief of the West Babylon Fire Department from 1972-1974 and was elected as Commissioner of the West Babylon Fire District in 1976.
Philip Canfora Sr. served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War as a Tank Commander and a hand-to-hand combat instructor. In 1957, Chief Canfora and his wife Marge moved to 4th Street in West Babylon where they raised three children. After honorably serving his country as a US Marine, he joined Beaver Engine Company 2 of the West Babylon Fire Department. He actively served in the West Babylon Fire Department until his death on October 5th, 2015, totaling over 57 years of service to the Town of Babylon community. His volunteerism lives on in his son Phil Jr., who has 40 years of service with the West Babylon Fire Department, and in his grandsons Joseph and Philip who serve with the North Lindenhurst Fire Department.
On August 31st, 2016, the Babylon Town Board passed Resolution No. 597, officially renaming 4th Street between 12th and 13th Avenue in West Babylon to “Chief Philip Canfora, Sr. Memorial Way.”
Pictured with friends and family members of Chief Canfora are Tyler Parks (from the office of New York State Assemblywoman Kimberly Jean-Pierre), Councilman Donnelly, Supervisor Schaffer, and Receiver of Taxes DiSomma.