Elizabeth “Betty” Leveille

Elizabeth “Betty” Leveille, a lifelong city resident has dedicated her life to serving the community.  Born July 2, 1937 to William and Marie Scully, she attended the south Amboy public school system and graduated from Hoffman High School.  She is very proud of her Irish heritage which has been traced back to county Cork, Ireland.  Her great, great-grandfather, Michael Scully, immigrated to the United States from Ireland in 1840.

Her father, William, was a member of the South Amboy First Aid and Safety Squad, who died while rendering first aid at an accident on Route 35.  Betty followed in her father’s footsteps and joined the First Aid Squad in 1974.  This was a milestone for both Betty and the first aid, as she was the first female member.  In her 34 years of service she has answered over 15,000 calls, including receiving the award for most calls answered per year for ten years and delivering three babies.

During her years of service, Betty has held numerous leadership positions within the first aid including:  President, Captain, and presently First Lieutenant.  One of her greatest accomplishments was to establish the Cadet program in 1980.  This program allows teenagers age 16 ½ to join the first aid squad, take first aid courses, assist the adult members and to join the first aid as regular or associate members at age 18.  In addition to establishing the program, Betty has also served as Cadet Adviros.

Through the years Betty has received numerous awards for volunteerism and service including:

• Fritz McLaughlin Award for Squad Spirit (1992)
• Benevolent Protective Order of the Elks #2555 Citizen of the Year (1998)
• Daughters of the American Revolution Award for Volunteerism
• Peter Kenny Association Volunteer of the Year (2002)
• Ancient Order of the Hibernians Woman of the Year (2002)
• John J. McCloud – Michael Szraga Award (2004)
• William A. Chapman Award (2005)
• Volunteer Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)
• Nominated for Outstanding EMT of the Year (2007)
• Nominated for Lifetime Achievement Award (2007)

Betty has been married to Roland “Ron” Leveille for 43 years and together they have three married children:

• Deborah and Steve Shackelton of Spotswood
• Denise and Ron Peczinka of South Amboy – Ron is an associate member of the First Aid Squad
• William and Diana Leveille of South Amboy – William is a member of the Progressive Fire Company

Betty and her husband have also been blessed with seven grandchildren:

• Jill Shackelton of South Amboy – a member of the First Aid Squad
• Stacy Shackelton of Spotswood
• Andrew Peczinka of South Amboy – a member of the Progressive Fire Company
• Jonathan Peczinka of South Amboy
• Nicole, Allison and Christina Leveille of South Amboy

Offices held:

South Amboy First Aid Squad – President 1992 and 2000

Captain 1980, 1985, 1989, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 2001

Emergency Calls Answered:

• 1975-872
• 1976–845
• 1977-741
• 1980-961
• 1983-824
• 1984-817
• 1991-643
• 1992-576
• 1993-549
• 1994-586
• 1995-500
• 1996-392
• 1997-426
• 1998-471
• 1999-406
• 2000-338
• 2001-442
• 2002-392
• 2003-330
• 2004-460
• 2005-518
• 2006-426