METHUEN — Stephen Carney went to the Methuen Exchange Club's 15th annual recognition dinner last night to publicly thank the two Fire Department emergency medical technicians who saved his life.
"It's an honor for me to be here with them," Carney said after meeting Tim Smith and Brett Paolantonio, who received this year's Firefighter of the Year award at a banquet attended by 175 at the Knights of Columbus.
Carney, 54, superintendent of Walnut Grove Cemetery in Methuen, complained of chest pains after playing softball on Aug. 23. He had his wife call 911. Carney left the house to meet the ambulance, but went into full cardiac arrest on the way to the hospital.
Smith, 32, a five-year veteran of the Fire Department, drove the ambulance while Paolantonio, 30, a four-year veteran, tended to Carney. Smith stopped the ambulance to assist in CPR and the use of an external defibrillator to restart Carney's heart.
Fire Chief Steven Buote later introduced Carney, who went to the stage to thank the two firefighters after they received their awards.
"My family and I are very thankful to these guys," Carney said in an interview. His wife, Pam, daughter, Colleen, and son, Clinton, also joined Carney as dinner guests.
James Moore, 38, a member of the Methuen Police Department since 1993, was honored as Police Officer of the Year.
The Exchange Club gave this year's Book of Golden Deeds Award to longtime member and past President Arthur Hutton.
Kathleen and Bill Fitzgerald, owners of Mann Orchards, received the So Proudly We Hail Award for flying the American flag at their Pleasant Valley Street business every day. Donna and James Meaney received a similar award for a collection of flags displayed at their Lowell Street home.
