Obituary of Tamie Ackley Kealey

ACKLEY KEALEY- Tamie Louise Ackley Kealey, age 45, beloved wife of James A. Kealey of Stratford, died peacefully on April 6, 2009 in Griffin Hospital surrounded by her husband and family. Born in Bridgeport on May 5, 1963, she was the daughter of James Mansi and Patricia Gourley Vonick, both of Florida. Tamie was a lifelong area resident and Graduate of Bullard Havens High School. She entered the US Navy and became a Navy Corpsman serving in the Groton Naval Hospital. On her return to civilian life, she became an Emergency Medical Technician and then a Paramedic- her passion and calling. In 1985 Tamie volunteered thousands of hours to the Stratford EMS and co-founded the Stratford EMS Explorer Post 4911; she always spoke of the Explorer Post as her greatest professional accomplishment. Tamie went on to work as a Paramedic in NYC where she was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1991 for her work in rescuing trapped subway riders in the 14th Street subway crash. She was recognized by the City of Bridgeport for her efforts in the L'Ambiance Plaza disaster; the CT Post as a "Woman of Substance" and was also decorated numerous times throughout her career for a multitude of pre-hospital, life saves. Her last EMS assignment was a Paramedic with the Stamford Access Ambulance. In addition to her husband and parents, she is survived by a step-daughter, Gina Marie Kealey of Stratford; sisters and brothers, Denise Koundry and her husband, Brian of Oxford, Perrie Sementilli and her husband, Craig of Milford, James Mansi and his wife, Cheryl of FL, Michael Mansi of Seymour and Eric Mansi of FL; a special niece, Kimmi Koundry of Oxford; many cherished nieces and nephews; her former spouse, William Ackley of Stratford; as well as the 100's of young adults in Explorer Post, of whom she'd refer to as "her kids". Funeral services will take place on Friday, April 10, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the Wakelee Memorial Funeral Home, 167 Wakelee Ave., Ansonia. Family and friends may call on Friday, from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. Interment will be private. Memorial contributions may be made to the family in care of the funeral director. On line condolences may be made at www.wakeleememorial.com.