Ed Wetzel As a youngster growing up, Kathleen Wetzel Otranto and her siblings would often come home for dinner and find someone who had just gotten out of jail; someone released from rehab or someone out of a psychiatric hospital joining the family's dinner table.

"My father's belief was that we are our brother's keeper; we have to feed the hungry, minister to the poor, help them find jobs and fill their bellies with good bread and pasta because that was what Jesus did," she said.

Massapequa resident and longtime St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church Deacon Edward V. Wetzel died on February 5, 2009 at his home. He was 81-years-old and left a legacy of service and compassion that followed him throughout his life.

Mr. Wetzel was born Aug. 3, 1927 in Brooklyn to Edward and Helen (Alter) Wetzel. He served in the United States Navy from 1944-1946 in WWII.

"He forged his papers and enlisted to sail on a destroyer during the war. He wanted to be a part of it," said his wife of 61 years, Audrey.

Mr. Wetzel was a retired New York City Firefighter and served as a Battalion Chief of Engine Co. #231 in New York City. He served the department for 31 years.

His daughter recalled the story her father told about the incident that motivated him to pursue the Deaconate Program. It was one of many that outlined his conscientious spirit for caring for others.

The incident occurred as he was fighting a fire and became overcome by the smoke and lapsed into unconsciousness. During those trying moments, he said he heard a voice that said: "Don't worry Eddie I got you, I got you brother… I got you brother."

Otranto said her father would always be grateful to that fireman who carried him to safety, but also knew that it was Jesus who had come to him. "He knew he had been called then to a higher calling," said his daughter. "And he followed the path ordained for him."

Mr. Wetzel became a member of the first Deacon's class in the Rockville Centre Diocese, which formed 30 years ago. He served at St. Martin of Tours, where he was also a parishioner for 50 years, and was later active at Agnes R.C. Church in Greenport.

During his years in St. Martin's, Mr. Wetzel donated his time to the Parish Outreach, which serves families and individuals in need. He founded the Rap Program for teenagers in the community and volunteered as a football He was the Rap coordinator at Maureen's Haven in Greenport, and still found time to volunteer at Christa House in West Babylon and to cook for the homeless alongside his wife Audrey. His work was based on his personal creed, said his daughter, which was to "always do the right thing," said his daughter.

Mr. Wetzel met his wife at Confraternity classes in Ozone Park when they were both teenagers. They married in 1947 and lived in Massapequa for 48 years, before moving to New Suffolk eight years ago.

The legacy he left his family and those whose life he touched was one of hope. "He told us that God is found in many ways and he respected each person's truth, however different it was from his own," said his daughter. "He was a man of truth; he was a man of courage and conviction, and he was a man of the people."

In addition to his wife and his daughter and her husband Thomas of Farmingville, Mr. Wetzel is survived by his other children: Michael of Delmar, California; Eileen Wetzel of Portland Oregon; Patrick and his wife Marguerite of Montauk; Daniel and his wife Seana of Massapequa. Eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter also survive him as do his brothers, William of Georgia, and Robert of Haverstraw, New York, and his sister Helen Sewell of Plainview.

Mr. Wetzel reposed at the Powell Funeral Home, 67 Broadway, Amityville. A Knights of Columbus service was held there Feb. 8, 2009. On Monday evening, Feb. 9, a Mass of Transferral was held at St. Martin of Tours R.C. Church celebrated by Father Peter Garry and Mr. Wetzel reposed at the church. A Mass of Christian Burial, officiated by Father James McNamara, was said the following day, with Consolation Ministry and members of the family participating. Interment followed in the Cemetery of the Holy Rood, Westbury, with Military Honors.

Donations in memory of Deacon Wetzel may be sent to East End Hospice, 481 Westhampton- Riverhead Road, PO Box 1048, Westhampton Beach, NY 11978-7048; NYFF Burn Foundation, 21 Asch Loop, Bronx, NY 10475 or the Rev. John Cervini's Mission, c/o Powell Funeral Home, 67 Broadway, Amityville NY 11701.