A Hudson Valley man became his family’s third generation to earn the title of city correction officer, joining more than 350 others who graduated in Brooklyn on Wednesday.
“I’m honored to have this job, to make it this far,” said the newly-minted officer, 23-year-old Frank M. Squillante, whose father and grandfather boasted decades-long careers with the New York City Department of Correction.
“The next step is to go through probation and to rank up like my father did,” the youngest Squillante continued. “I’ve seen the department, how they treated my father and grandfather, how it’s a huge family and I just can’t wait to experience that.”
Squillante and 381 others graduated Wednesday morning at a ceremony held at the Christian Cultural Center in East New York, which was attended by hundreds of family, friends and department brass.
He spent much of his childhood on Rikers Island, where his father, 56-year-old Frank P. Squillante served as an assistant chief for the department before retiring with 26 years on the job in 2009.
“I’m really glad that my son has achieved this,” the proud father said. “All the work and effort that goes into preparing him, he met all those requirements and he made it on his own.”
The graduate’s grandfather — also named Frank — retired from the DOC in 1973. The eldest Squillante was one of the first officers to work in the Eric M. Taylor Center — the prison facility to which Frank M. has been assigned, and where Frank P. was a warden for four years.
“He’s followed his father’s footsteps, which is awesome and it’s great accomplishment,” his mother, Lisa, said with a smile. “I’m very proud of him. We know that he’s got some shoes to fill due to my husband.”
