Jeff Santarcangelo, a lifelong resident of Bennington, was honored during this year’s Battle Day celebrations for his 45 years of service with the Bennington Fire Department. Born on July 15, 1957, to Salvatore and Ethel Santarcangelo, Jeff has been a steadfast figure in the community for decades.

Jeff grew up in Bennington alongside his two older brothers, James and John, and his younger sister, Sue. He attended Bennington elementary schools before graduating from Mount Anthony Union High School in 1976. After high school, he pursued higher education at Southern Vermont College and later transferred to Hudson Valley Community College, where he earned a degree in automotive technology.

In his early career, Jeff worked at Bennington NAPA, but soon transitioned to the family business, Ideal Fuels and Fence, where he eventually took on the role of manager. He successfully led the company for many years until health concerns forced its closure. Jeff's personal life has been just as fulfilling. In January 1980, he married his high school sweetheart, Melinda Crawford. Together, they raised and homeschooled their four children—Gabrielle, Adrien, Timothy, and Lizzie—and are now the proud grandparents of seven.

In 1979, Jeff joined the Eagle Hose Fire Department, marking the beginning of his extensive and dedicated career in firefighting. At that time, the department was highly sought after, with a 100-man roster and a waiting list to join. Jeff’s opportunity came when a fireman retired, and he was sponsored by his brother-in-law, Jeff Crawford. From that point forward, Jeff worked his way up the ranks, serving as 2nd Lieutenant before eventually becoming Chief.

Throughout his career, Jeff took numerous training courses, starting with the 45-hour Essentials course and advancing through Firefighter I and II, Hazardous Materials Operations, Wildland Fire Control, and Lithium Battery Training, among others. Like all volunteer firefighters, Jeff undertook this training in his own time, often traveling for courses while balancing work and family commitments.

Some of the most significant fires in his memory include the Johnson Oil fire, Home Furniture fire, and the Harte Theater blaze. The Johnson Oil fire, being the one fire Jeff remembered the most which occurred during -15-degree weather, was particularly challenging, with firefighters battling for hours in extreme conditions to bring the fire under control. Looking back on his years of service, Jeff feels honored and grateful for the support of his fellow firefighters and his family. He is humbled to have this year's Battle Day dedicated to him, seeing it as a testament to the commitment of the entire Bennington Fire Department.