January 12, 1952 - January 18, 2014
O God, who said as long as you did it for one of these my children you did it for me, grant a fitting reward to your fireman who has given his time and energy for the good of others. To him who gave up his rest at all hours of the day and night grant eternal rest; to him who has answered his final alarm on earth, grant a place of refreshment, joy and peace.
HARTWICK SEMINARY - Michael J. Basile, a man who dedicated over 40 years to fire and EMS efforts in his community, passed away following a valiant battle with cancer Saturday evening, January 18, 2014, at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown with his loving family at his side. The current Chief of Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2 in Hartwick Seminary, Mike was 62.
Born January 12, 1952, in Far Rockaway, Queens, he was a son of Joseph F. and Phyllis (Maiorino) Basile.
Raised on Long Island in Massapequa, he graduated in 1969 from Plainedge High School. After briefly attending college, he went to work for Baisley Lumber Company on Long Island. When he moved to Hartwick he learned the electrical trade with his uncle. He later started his own business, Basile & Son Fire Alarms.
In 1972 Mike and his family moved upstate to Hartwick. He came to meet Claudia D. Hall, and the two were married October 19, 1986, in a ceremony at the Cooperstown United Methodist Church.
Throughout most of his life Mike was dedicated to fire service, beginning with his membership as a young man in the North Massapequa Fire Department. After moving to upstate New York, Mike played a vital role in contributing to fire and EMS efforts in his community as well as in the county. He first served Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1 as Captain of the Hartwick Emergency Squad, and was currently a volunteer and Chief for Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2 in Hartwick Seminary. He was also currently serving as the Deputy EMS Coordinator (OC-7) for the Otsego County Office of Emergency Services.
In his leisure, Mike enjoyed playing the accordion as well as the keyboard along with his brother, Alan, in their band, "Travelin' Thru".
A well-respected individual, Mike was a person everyone loved. He will be greatly missed by his family and the community he served so selflessly.
Mike is survived by his loving wife of 27 years, Claudia, their son and daughter-in-law, John ("J.R.") and Jennifer Basile, and one granddaughter, Kaylee Basile. He is further survived by his mother, Phyllis Basile; one brother and sister-in-law, Alan P. and Peggy Basile; one sister and brother-in-law, Joann M. and Bernie Zeh; his nieces and nephews, Katherine Basile, Joe Basile, Bernie Zeh III, Christopher Zeh, Dominick Zeh, Michelle Zeh, Jody Harrington, and Jenna Utter and her husband, Kevin, and their son Lucas; and a sister-in-law, Debbie Harrington and her husband, Gary. Mike will be especially missed by his beloved Dalmatian, Chief.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joseph F. Basile, who died December 9, 2012.
Friends may call at the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown on Friday, January 24, 2014, from 3-6 pm when Mike's family will be in attendance.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday, January 25, 2014, at St. Mary's "Our Lady of the Lake" Roman Catholic Church in Cooperstown, with Fr. John P. Rosson, pastor, presiding. At the conclusion of the Mass, a Firefighter Memorial Service for Chief Basile will be conducted by his fellow firefighters.
Immediately following the services at the church, Chief Basile's remains will be borne to E-372, Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2's 2006 Freightliner Pumper. A procession will follow, during which Chief Basile's remains will pause at Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 1, his former home in Hartwick, and will culminate with the Final Alarm at Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2. A reception will follow in the Fire Hall.
For those who so desire, donations in memory of Mike may be made to Hartwick Fire Department Co. No. 2, 4877 State Highway 28, Cooperstown, NY 13326.
Funeral arrangements are under the care and guidance of the Connell, Dow & Deysenroth Funeral Home in Cooperstown.
If you would like to send condolences to the family, send an email to Connell, Dow & Deysenroth. We will forward your comments to the family. If you would like to send flowers in memory of the deceased, contact Mohican Flowers at (607) 547-8822, or A Rose is a Rose at (607) 264-3100.
