Fox, Francis J

There was a very deep "bottomless" pond at the end of Powell Avenue up until about the '50s. This pond was actually a type of sink-hole. It was located near the junction of Powell Avenue and Route 135 today. One of Bethpage's youngsters, Francis Fox, lost his life saving a friend, Eddie Okula, who was on the verge of drowning there. A memorial plaque, dedicated to the memory of Francis Fox, hung in the auditorium of the Powell Avenue School for many years. The plaque now hangs in the Charles Campagne School.

Below information from The Central Park Historical Society Newsletter July - August 2009

The CPHS has refurbished the plaque which honors Bethpage young hero, Francis J. Fox, for his heroic efforts to save the life of his friend Eddie Okula from drowning as he sacrificed his own life. The tragic accident occurred in the spring of 1941 in the area on the south side of Powell Avenue and a bit east of where the Seaford Oyster Bay Expressway runs today.

The Bethpage Fire Department had the plaque made which hung in the Powell Avenue School, till the school was razed, then it hung in the Charles Campaign Elementary School.