Today, the Riverhead Volunteer Ambulance Corps lost a 4 legged friend & family member, near and dear to our hearts…

Duke Zilnicki. An 11 year old German Sheppard, family of EMT Janice Zilnicki, Paramedic Amanda Zilnicki-Ceckowski, EMT Andrej Ceckowski, EMT Heather Zilnicki, and Corpsman Beth Zilnicki.

For those who drive along Sound Avenue, bets are you’ve probably seen Duke standing outside the Zilnicki farm/residence.

While driving to emergencies is never considered “fun”, you knew if you needed to go past the Zilnicki house….you’d be in for a smile.

Duke LOVED to hear the sirens of the Ambulance, First Responder, Police Cars & Fire Department Vehicles. You’d often see him standing at the end of the driveway howling, followed by him chasing us down his fence line. As we made Duke happy, he made us just as happy.

Our healing thoughts and prayers are with the Zilnicki family during this devastating time.

Rest in peace 6-5-Duke