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December 26, 2022


              

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BOARD MEMBERS

Robert Valentino                                                                President

I was appointed to the N.Y.C. Transit Police on October 6, 1968, and retired on September 1, 1995. I worked in many commands including District 32, District 31A, Stakeout Unit, Court Unit, TPF, TEU and Office of Media Services. I served as a TPBA Delegate and later as Vice President of the SBA. I was also President of both the Department’s Softball League and Bowling League for many years and Director of the New York State Police Olympics Bowling Competition for 38 years.

 

I worked for David Rockefeller for 36 years and also worked Woodstock 1999 which was an assignment I will never forget. After retirement, I bowled on the Professional National Senior Bowling Tour along with fellow retiree Mike Kilgannon. I have been inducted into the Long Island Bowling Hall of Fame and our organization’s Sports Hall of Fame. I am still bowling competitively and enjoy playing golf.

 

I have been married to my wife, Jessica, for forty nine years and have a son, Rob. I served in the Army from 1967 to 1968. I will always try to enhance the image of our association and assist our board members and our membership in any way I can.

I am happy to have served as your 1st VP under President Mike Lanning and proud to have been elected as your new President for the next term starting in 2023 and to cointinue serving the membership

Amadeo 'Deo' Fasolino                                             1st Vice President



I was appointed December 01,1965. After grauating from the Transit Police Academy at the 168th Armory, I was assigned to the old Dist. 2, 125 & Lex, then onto Dist 4 at Chambers St. From there to Dist 20 where I was elected the TPBA Delegate. In 1969, I was elected Recording Secretary of the Transit PBA after running on the John Maye ticket. I remained in that position until 1979 when I returned to Dist 20. I was elected TPBA Delegate for Dist. 20 and later as the Queens Trustee for the TPBA. Proud to say, of my almost 22 years as a Transit Cop, 19 of those years I served as a representative of the members with the TPBA.

Ron DiMaio                                                            2nd Vice President



There is an old saying, that when at work, “If you like what you’re doing, you will never work a day in your life”. I know the feeling.

When I was 14 years old, growing up in Brooklyn, I joined the Metropolitan Rod and Gun Club with my friend Bob. I would take my rifle in a case and travel by subway to the club where I learned rifle marksmanship. I enjoyed the sport so much that I competed in matches and even brought home some trophies. Back then, I also went hunting with my friends, my son, brother-in-law and father-in-law. Unfortunately, climbing mountains to hunt is too strenuous for me now, but since then, target shooting has been my life-long hobby. I also taught my wife, Rita, my son, Raymond, and my daughter, Lauren, how to shoot. When I moved out to Long Island, I joined the Freeport Rifle and Revolver Association, where I practice rifle and pistol target shooting. I make this my time out with my son.

My career with the NYC Transit Police Department spanned nearly 21 years. (Class of June 21, 1965) During that time, I worked on patrol in the following Districts: 30, 33, 31, 34, 22, 11, Records, Communications and Operations Units and met many good people. But when the opportunity arose to be assigned to the Range and the Firearms Training Unit at Gold Street, I jumped at it. I will never forget my first day at the Range; I was happy because I was given six .38 Spl. service revolvers to clean by Rudy Zubikowski. Rudy could not understand why I was happy for this assignment as I truly enjoyed handling the tools of my hobby, therefore, it didn’t seem like work to me. During almost three years at the Range, I met some celebrities like Sylvester Stallone and Billy D. Williams in the making of the movie Night Hawks and Meredith Vierra from the media who interviewed us. But most of all, I worked with some great guys including: Sgts. John Cullen, Bob White and William Carroll and P.O.s Rudy Zubikowski, Tony Borgese, Henry Melchiona, Dick Sorge, Cardinal (Tony) Campbell, Donald Parks, and I.W. Smith who was killed in the line of duty.

My most rewarding accomplishment on the job was to train new recruits, some of whom had never handled a gun before. A few of them, especially the women, almost quit “the job” because they were fearful of the gun and they were also afraid of not being able to qualify. I trained them to use the tool they needed to master in order to qualify, the revolver. The recruits were grateful for my patience and skills in training them so they were able to qualify. After being promoted to Sergeant in April 1982, I had to leave my “Home on the Range”, where I felt like I wasn’t really working because I was doing what I liked to do. I was reassigned to TPF Patrol and four years later, on January 31, 1986, I retired.

Thomas Greer                                                       Executive Secretary



 

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself. I am Tom Greer Jr. My father,
Tom Greer Sr, worked in District 20. I came on the job July 15th 1986 and was
hired as a proud member of the NYC Transit Police. I was assigned my dad’s
shield number 1244. Upon graduating, I went to Gold Street to the Transit Academy.
I was assigned to District 20 like my dad was. On January 20th 1987, I rolled
over to the NYPD. I spent 8-1/2 years there and on October 14th 1994, was hired
by the Nassau County Police Department.

I am still working and was assigned to the Highway Patrol Unit. I was promoted to Sergeant in June, 2023 and assigned to the 7th Pct., Nassau PD, with the hope of getting back to Highway in the future.

I have been a member of this organization for many years and was honored when Mike Lanning tapped me to be Sgt at Arms, and now as your Executive Secretary under President Bob Valentino. 

I believe in the organization and am very dedicated to the members and will continue to be motivated to serve in any way.

Tom has been very instrumental over the past several years in getting tickets to the annual "Subway Series" games between the NY Mets and the NY Yankees.

Gregory Stripp                                                      Financial Secretary  

 

 

Under construction  Bio to follow

Robert Forrester                                                            Recording Secretary

          In 1960 I got my first job with the 5th Ave. Coach Company.  For the first six months, I worked in the garage in Queens at night cleaning and maintaining the buses.   I was then assigned to the 132nd St. & Broadway body shop.  At one time, my grandfather was in charge of the shop.  He made changes to the windows so they would open and rearranged the seats in the bus so that they would accommodate more people.  He also designed a double decker that could go over the 59th St. Bridge.

 

          In 1963 I married my wife Fran who is still the love of my life after 56 years.

 

          In 1965 I took tests for the Fire Department, Police Department and Transit Police.  I was appointed to the Transit Police, graduating from the Academy in May of ‘68.  My first assignment was District 3 on the 8Ps.  I was there about 6 months then went to District 33, rotating, for about a year,  District 30 for one and a half years, then to the OU where I became an RMP Dispatcher on midnights. From the OU I went to District 20 for about 2 years.  Captain Dunlap started an Anti-Crime Unit and I was able to get into it and worked steady midnights until I retired.

 

          During that time, I joined the Transit Police Emerald Society and was good friends with Matty Walsh, President, and Patrick Collins, Vice President. I soon became Treasurer and also Recording Secretary for a while.  When the Emerald Society decided to have a Christmas Party for the children of the members, we needed a Santa Claus and my buddy Patrick gave me the job.  I began my Santa career in 1971 or ’72.  Every year we had the party in a different location. 

         

          On St. Patrick’s Day, I took care of the hospitality suite at the Royalton Hotel on 43rd St. where the guys could come up for refreshments before the parade.  After the parade started, I packed up and went to 82nd St. for the after parade party.

         

          I retired on August 22, 1985 and soon after, I took a job with Adelphi University working in Security and then as Supervisor of Mail Services.  While at Adelphi, my wife and I earned BA’s in Fine Arts.

 

          In 2018, I was asked to be the Recording Secretary of the Transit Police Retirees Association of which I am very happy to hold that position on the Executive Board.

         

          I am now Santa Claus for the Shields and hope to do it for as long as I can.

         

                              Retired Police Officer Robert Forrester (aka Santa Claus)

Anthony Lomanto                                          Treasurer & Webmaster

I was appointed to the NYC Transit Police Department on December 1, 1965 as part of the largest class ever in the Department. After graduation, I was assigned to rotating in Dist. 1 then into the O/U on restricted duty thanks to a bleeding ulcer. 

After getting back to full duty, I remained in the O/U for a while then went back to Dist. 1, and eventually back to the O/U.  That lasted until 1969 when I was sent to TFU in Dist. 34A until its' end in 1976. 

After a short stay in Dist. 32, I finally came "home" to Dist. 34, Stillwell Avenue, the "End of the Line." During my time in D/34, I was elected Delegate, area Trustee, and ended as Delegate until my retirement in January, 1986. I also served as a Trustee of the Annuity Fund of the TPBA for several years.

I was married to my second wife, Shirley, from 1982 until her death in 2012. Between us, we have four children and four grandchildren. After a stint in the limousine business, jewelery industry security and six years in retail (Woodworker's Warehouse, Home Depot, Lowe's) I went back into uniform, and completed 15 years working security at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, LI, NY, alongside many fine retired Transit Police Officers. I finally retired in Febriary, 2018 to enjoy life with my partner, Emily Sicoli, and do some travelling. I hold to the philosophy of doing it while you are able to.

I am happy to have been asked to be this web site's Webmaster and hope to utilize what skills I have to maintain this site for the enjoyment of our members, friends, and Internet visitors. In a final thought, I would like to see all retired Transit Police Officers united under the banner of this association. In 2004, I took over the office of Treasurer, following in the footsteps of John Regan and Frank Crisa.  I now know how hard a job they encountered and I appreciate all the help they have and wil l be giving me, but I can say that I do enjoy the time at the computer.  Best to all.

 Frank Crisa                                                      Editor-in-Chief


I was appointed to the Transit Police Department on December 1st, 1965, and Dist.1 was my first assignment after graduation.  This was a great place to learn the job; I got most of my experience right there. I remember getting off the downtown A train at 42nd & 8th on my first tour of duty in my brand new blue uniform. When I got to the upper mezzanine to make my on-post ring someone yelled “Man with a gun." There I was,right in the thick of it. Making an arrest in those days was a trial and error learning process.  I learned quickly!


Later on I volunteered for assignment to the Coney Island Summer Squad.  I really enjoyed getting out of the “hole” and into the fresh air every summer. I don’t know how many summers I did there, but they were all great and I made many great friends. I hoped that maybe someday I would have the seniority to pick Dist 34.  When I finally made it to the “Country Club”, I got a call from (then) Lt. Rodney Ward. He told me I was being assigned to City Wide Anti-Crime. Damn, I just got the District of my dreams and I didn’t want to go.  Anyway, as I had no choice, I packed my bags and headed back to Manhattan and The Bronx. This assignment turned out to be the best five or six years on the job for me. Thanks, Rodney.

When that unit was disbanded, I wound up back at the “34 House." To make a long story short; Chief James Ferry (then Lt. Ferry) took me under his wing and assigned me to many administrative duties in the command.  Under his very capable stewardship I learned the techniques necessary to become a good administrator. Thanks, Jim. This knowledge, the ability to get along with people and, of course, being a Transit Cop, afforded me the experience that I took with me into my civilian career. I’ve been pretty lucky in that area. I became the Director of Security at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.  I’ve served at Pratt since October of 1987, first as the Assistant Director of Security then in May 1995, I was promoted to Director.  

I finally retired to "the good life" in 2007. No regrets, a great wife, great kids and great grand-kids; life is good.

In closing, I should say that I was honored to serve for seven years as Treasurer of our fine association.  During that time, I enjoyed putting together “Beyond the Line” as our Association’s newsletter. It really caught on and the feedback I get tells me the troops enjoy reading it. However, the demands of being on the executive board consumed too much of my personal time, so I decided not to seek re-election. Your new executive board asked me to stay on and continue to do the newsletter and I’m happy to do it.  I think this organization should get the respect and loyalty it deserves. Many good things have come directly from the hard work of past administrations that directly affect the quality of our lives.  Please continue to support us so we can move forward.
Fraternally,
Frank Crisa

Mike Lanning                                                                 Sgt-at-Arms



I came on the job April 1965 and retired in September of 1986, without VSF. I served as Trustee for the TPBA for 12 years in Queens. I also worked in Dist. 1,20,21,22. I served on the Retiree Executive Board for 6 yrs as your recording secretary. I’ve been employed at St. Francis Hospital for the last 4 yrs. and I’m happily married to my wife Doris for the past 40 years and we have 5 beautiful grandchildren. I love the Transit Police Department and will always be Retired Transit Police. I am proud to have been the President of this great association for several years after the passing of our late President, Ed Russo, and, not to leave the board, I am happy to remain as your Sergeant-at-Arms and greet the members at the door at our meetings.

I think that the new board will do great as long as we keep focused on what we want to do for the Membership because they are the ones who run this. We have to listen to what road they want us to follow and try to do it, but we also have to head where it is best for the organization.