A Life Saved: Bill Stewart Thanks Branford Fire Department - Branford, CT Patch

10/1/13 12:16 PM

Editor Jenn McCulloch jenn.mcculloch@patch.com

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A Life Saved: Bill Stewart Thanks Branford Fire Department

Almost two years since that tragic March day in Branford, Bill Stewart visits the crew of Branford Fire Fighters who he said saved his life.
By Nicole Ball Email the author December 3, 2012

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William Stewart had a lot to say when he visited the Branford Fire Department today but the most powerful words were, Thank you. One year and nine months after the date of an almost tragic incident, Stewart was able to meet the five Branford Fire Department first responders who helped save his life. Its a combination of things its just thank you for enabling me to stay alive, he told the crew. Without the care that was given at the scene and during transport, Stewart said the doctors who treated him would not have been able to do their magic. Stewart sustained life-threatening injuries to his body including bludgeoning to his head with a baseball bat. Almost two years since the incident, Stewart can stand with assistance, but still struggles to straighten his left arm. Like a child, he told the crew, he has had to learn to walk, talk and eat again. Its a lot of work, he said of the physical therapy, but you can feel yourself coming back. The reunion today was extra special for Deputy Chief Ron Mullen, who was on call that Saturday morning in late winter. Mullen shared that he once worked with Stewart back in the early 1980s when he was a supernumery (part-time) police officer with Branford Police Department and Stewart was a patrolman. He was the funniest guy I knew, said Mullen. Made an eight-hour shift feel like four. At the time of the incident, Mullen said they treated and packaged Stewart to be rushed to the hospital so quickly and efficiently that he didnt even recognize that the victim was his old friend. The reunion today was one of the happiest days in my 32 years of my career, said Mullen. Stewart left the police force back in the 1980s and Mullen joined the Branford Fire Department. The crazy thing with a brain injury, said Stewart, is that he doesnt remember getting hit.

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A Life Saved: Bill Stewart Thanks Branford Fire Department - Branford, CT Patch

10/1/13 12:16 PM

Stewart was allegedly beaten with a baseball bat by Neil Amendola of Patrick Lane, where the incident occurred. Initial police reports indicated that Stewart was fixing a garage door for the Amendola family when Neil attacked Stewart. Amendola is awaiting disposition and adult probation in New Haven court and has not been released from custody since the incident happened. He is due to appear in court again on February 26, 2013. The fact that Stewart lived to share his story, is nothing short of a miracle both he and his son Daniel Stewart, 27, agree. Daniel shared that he stopped counting his fathers brain surgeries after about six or eight. I can not thank the lord enough for my family, said Stewart. Theyve been by my side since the day of the incident. Stewart has a 33-year-old son, Ryan Stewart and his wife Leslie Stewart is a school teacher at John B. Sliney School. The people of Branford dont know how fortunate they are to have people like you at their beck and call, said Stewart to the crew, which included firefighters Jim Carson, Paul Cipriani, Dan Ghiroli, John Cudgma, Jr. and Deputy Chief Mullen. Its so gratifying to know there are people like you who do this day in and day out, he told them. They cant pay you what youre worth. In addition to the expert care of Branford Fire Department first responders, the departments official surgeon, Dr. Sandy Bogucki was also available the day of the incident and was able to provide emergency room care while Stewart was in transit, the crew explained. Bogucki is on-call for extreme circumstances for trauma like Stewarts case. Additionally, Stewart shared that Dr. Murat Gunel, chief of neurovascular surgery was on duty the morning he arrived at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Having all these things in place was like the stars aligning for him, he said. Stewart spent almost the last two years in the hospital and at Gaylord and the Madison House receiving physical therapy. He returned home for good the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Email me updates about this story. Enter your email address
Keep me posted

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Tom Grantland
5:48 pm on Monday, December 3, 2012

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Glad you made it Bill ! And thanks to the fd for the save,great job!
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ted Aub
9:38 am on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Bill all of us wish you the best !

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Donna Biederman
6:46 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Thank you Branford Fire, Police and Drs. Bogucki and Gunel for saving my amazing cousin.
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Deb Stewart Malpass

7:40 pm on Tuesday, December 4, 2012

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Thank you to all who made my favorite cousin's return home possible...Thank you to Bill's wife and boys who were with him every step of the way...and Thank You Bill for having the never ending sense of humor and will to live! You are my hero.
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A Life Saved: Bill Stewart Thanks Branford Fire Department - Branford, CT Patch

10/1/13 12:16 PM

Louis Ghiroli
12:20 am on Friday, January 25, 2013

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Bill been following your progress all the way out here in San Diego glad you pulled through and great job by the FD.All the BEST Lou Ghiroli
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