John Zanotti Jr. started volunteering with Hyde Park’s fire department when he was 16 years old and went on to become the department’s treasurer in addition to his duties as a firefighter.

Now, Zanotti, 90, can add a new title to his list of roles with the department: honorary chief.

The small department with 19 active firefighters bestowed the honor to Zanotti in a ceremony Saturday that also included the dedication of the department’s newly revamped 1994 fire engine and a new equipment truck.

In addition to his service to the fire department, Zanotti worked as a butcher, owned a community market and served on borough council and as mayor. He graduated from Leechburg High School.

Zanotti was presented with a plaque that includes a white leather, red-lettered front panel of a fire chief’s helmet. It was donated by Tees-n-Tops in Vandergrift. Zanotti, who is recovering from a recent hospital stay, quietly accepted the honor.

“He was very dedicated to the fire department. We have what we have today because of him,” said Zanotti’s son, Jay Zanotti, who serves as president of the Hyde Park fire company.

The department recently got back its fire engine.

It took the fire engine out of service nearly two years ago so it could be refurbished. West Leechburg’s department loaned an engine to Hyde Park in the interim.

Now Hyde Park’s engine looks and runs like new.

Hyde Park borrowed $270,000 to refurbish the fire engine and buy a four-wheel-drive equipment truck.

The department has held benefit meals and gun bashes and accepted donations to begin paying back the loan, according to fire Capt. Tifanie Gagen. It also will use state grant money to help pay off the loan.

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