WEST SENECA, N.Y. (WKBW) — Social distancing smart parades seem to happen daily across Western New York. It is usually aimed at one person to brighten their day, maybe a birthday celebration or an anniversary. The target of parade filled with Seneca Hose Company #1 firetrucks was Dick Scheuneman of West Seneca.
“Hopefully, this cheers Dick up,” said David Robertson, the president of Seneca Hose Company.
Scheuneman is a 50-year-member of the Seneca Hose Company #1. He lives right across Cazenovia Creek form the firehouse. He stopped going to calls in early March because of the Coronavirus.
His firefighting buddies heard he needed cheering up. So, they got everyone they knew and drove down the street to say, ‘hi.’ Scheuneman can't go far. Wednesday night was the first he has stepped out of the house in days.
“This is the most anybody has seen of him,” said Scheuneman’s daughter, Linda Gastle.
Last Sunday, he tested positive for COVID-19. He says he's doing well and barely has a cough, according to his children. But, testing positive is not why he'll never forget last Sunday. Patricia, his wife of 46 years, died on Sunday. It was the virus. Her family couldn't speak highly enough of the nurses at Mercy Hospital.
“We all got to talk to her and say goodbye,” explained Gastle. She says the nurses would connect Patricia to her family through FaceTime.
Her funeral of less than ten will be held Thursday. Her husband is in quarantine. He can't go. He can't be hugged. But, Dick is not alone.
“It meant so much to him. I know it did,” said Bernard Dumas, Scheuneman’s son.
“We love you.” That’s what a yard sign says on Scheuneman’s lawn. It was a part of a parade made just for him. And in a week of torment, his day got a little brighter.
