SI Advance – April 20, 2015
by Jim Waggoner
There were tears in the eyes of Nanette Ambelas as she spoke of her late husband Sunday morning at Clove Lakes Park.
Mrs. Ambelas was preparing to run in Matt’s 5K Race, an event that brought more than 400 runners together to honor the memory of FDNY Lt. Gordon (Matt) Ambelas, who died at the age of 40 fighting a fire in a public housing high-rise at Williamsburg, Brooklyn on July 5, 2014.
“Matty always brought the sunshine and love,” she said, noting the sun-soaked day. “Anything he could do for you he would automatically step up to make anybody’s life easier.
“He was that type of man. He loved his family and his friends. Myself and his children and his FDNY were everything to him.”
The 5K Matt’s Race was presented by Engine 161/Ladder 81 and Engine 211/Ladder 119 together with the Staten Island Athletic Club.
Jose Davila, a 38-year-old Port Richmond resident, was the overall winner with a time of 18 minutes, 13.65 seconds. Julie Lamiquiz, 31, of New Springville won the women’s race with a time of 20:14.61.
“It’s a tough, challenging course,” said Lamiquiz, running for the Richmond Rockets. “It’s a good course with a lot of different loops. I liked it.”
Davila, running for Club Atletico Hispano, hit the finishing line without much pressure. David Michaels was second at 18:47.16 and fellow SIAC team member Issac Rivera was third at 18:55.95.
New Dorp High School student Vivian Liell finished second in the women’s race with a 21:13.78 timing, while Mary Curran was third at 21:43.98.
The FDNY read a congressional proclamation honoring Ambelas’ bravery and SIAC runner Alison Madill sang the national anthem prior to the race.
The event was organized by close family friend Margaret Gulliksen, who read Mrs. Ambelas’ touching eulogy for her husband during a funeral service presentation that brought “tears, laughter and smiles,” according to a published report.
“I’m floored at how many people have come out to honor my husband,” said Nanette Ambelas. “He is loved by so many people. This is all family to us.”
No comments yet.