Most know him as ‘Stevy the Shabbos Goy’. It’s the name Steve Fugman has carried with him since the day he was born, and a position he has filled since the passing of his father in December of 2006. Like his father, Steve has been serving the Hatzolah organization and the Jewish community with most Shabbos Hatzolah calls, a day on which most non-emergency calls are not responded to by Hatzolah’s Jewish first responders.
It began with George and Libby Fugman – parents of Steve and Veronica- about 27 years ago, shortly after the founding of Hatzolah of Lakewood, when Hatzolah began seeking a ‘Shabbos Goy’ (a non-Jew who prevents the desecration of Shabbos for a Jew), and George offered to take the job.
Not common amongst his peers and friends, George gave up his weekends – week after week – to service the needs of Hatzolah and Lakewood’s Jewish Community, and continued – along with his family – to devote himself year after year. The job, didn’t just entail driving back emergency vehicles from calls – but dropping off patients at Doctors and Hospitals, filling prescriptions, and many other services which do not require the immediate response of a First Responder on the holiest day of the week, but nevertheless and important task.
On December 9, 2006, Hatzolah found itself at George’s home attempting to save his life minutes after suffering a massive Heart Attack. He died a short time later, leaving the community in shock.
On December 13th, a funeral was held and was joined by hundreds as the procession made its way down Forest Avenue.
Following the passing of his father, Steve, then 18, was offered the Badge and Unit # 91 of his late father.
Steve – whose day job is at King’s Pharmacy – and who is a member of LCSW as well – gladly accepted the offer, and since the day of his dad’s passing, proudly displays his late father’s badge as one of his most crowned possessions.
Veronica, a nurse at Dr. Shanik’s office, has also undertaken the the task.
“If you think about it, for years these people, George and his family, have saved Haztolah and the Community from ‘Chillul Shabbos’ (desecrating of Shabbos) , basically since Hatzolah’s inception”, a veteran Hatzolah member tells TLS”. “To find such dedicated people is amazing”, he says. “The one day a week when most are taking off time to spend with family and friends, they give up for the Jewish community”. “Truly amazing”.
However, Steve isn’t just on the job for four years.
“Stevy has been going on Hatzolah calls while still in an infant seat!”, the Hatzolah member continued. “His parents would drive him around and take him to calls as a newborn baby, something even Stevy doesn’t remember, but we do!”.
So ingrained in the Jewish community, that when a Hatzolah member told Steve how the need for more Shabbos Goyim would be needed as the community continues to grow, and suggested that Steve asks some friends to join him, he quipped, “I can’t, my friends are Yeshivish!”.
Over the Yom Tov season, Steve, Libby and Veronica have responded to close to 100 calls, a member of Hatzolah tells TLS.
So the next time you see themon Shabbos – or during the week – don’t forget to thank them for their dedication and devotion. TLS.
I can say its all true, i remember him and veronica coming when they where baby’s to my father. George did it the right way. Most people would see it as a pain he spent time with his family on every call, and truly showed us all what it means to be a part of something. 91 lives on forever.
Yaakov
Steve you rock!!!!!!
his family is the best they help alot of people without hatzaloh people always walking to his house and knocking on the dorr
Thank you Steave/#91
Amazing people…thanks Steve!!!
Go Steve
thanks for being there for us…keep up the good work
steve u the man lets keep up the yeshivishnesssss LOL
rock on
Steve and mom
Thanks for all your hard work esp in the last few weeks when we had 3 x3 days yom tovim
Note from steve picture was not taken on shobbos !!
91 you rock
As a fellow Member I would also like to point out that you have the nicest car on the squad as well!
Steve is great… always a mentch at Kings. Thanks for everything
National buff day 10-4.
And don’t forget to tip him after Shabbos!
And lets not forget the great job that Libby does!
STEVE YOUR THE MAN THANK YOU 91
Steve what a mentch!!!
Go Steve!!!! (17, what about the no Caps rule)
steve is the man!!! always with a smile (and a smirk) doing his job well!!
Thank you
# 91 thanks for all the help you have done .
I never needed steves services till recently, when i needed to take my daughter to dr shanik one friday night. He was such a mentch – I didnt have to tell him to open the car door for me, he knew exactly what to do and always with the proper attitude. He then went to walgreens for me at 11pm. Steve you were amazing. you made our Shabbos a more enjoyable one.
A yiddishe Hartz!
with great admiration!!
Steve and Libby there are no words to decribe all the work you do thank you and keep up the great work…
yours truly the guy with the hot weels that you want to get and you really looked in it lol
thanks for being the best neighbor
I used George, Mrs george & Peanut many times. They r amazing ppl. Rock on, Stevie baby. #91 Rules !!
steve you should be blessed for the great work
Your. The best steve
steve vehicle is set up so you dont turn any lights on when you open the door or close. he is thoughtful of our religious needs and laws.
please remember to tip him accordingly after shabbos or yom tov.
if you are not sure the amount call the non-emergency hatzolah number.
and lets not forget Veronica and Libby.
91 is a truly kind individual, I can truly say that i wish that more people in lakewood would be like him!!
How about this….we all have alot to learn from Steve and Libby when it comes to middos and mentsclechkeit. Think about it…
Captain of the 90s
Capt of the 90s
HPO L an S for the pickup
Keep up the good work we love you and everything you do for us.
Can’t wait to see what the new command vehicle will look like
Your favorite member
91 your the best!!! Always with a smile!!! Keep it up!!!
Heah Steve! I was just wearing my reflector and helmet …… Can I get a Free Hot Dog card from Yussi’s?
(Shloimy)
Libby veronica steve u guys r the best your always so kind to us with a smile every time u help. And YES even when your not getting paid u still do the mitzva wit a smile….I personaly think u guys r Jewish. Keep up the good work ty for everything
A few months ago my 3 year old son cut himself about 30 minutes after the zman (Friday night) hatzolah suggested that we go to the ER immediately. Sure enough Steve showed up and took us to Kimball Hospital for stitches when the Hospital said it would take about 2 hours before we would be done Steve offered to go back to my wife at home and let her know whats happening so she wouldn’t be nervous!! STEVE YOU ARE TRULY THE GREATEST!!!!
stevie the captain of the 90’s !! u rock!!!
Steve, you are truly special
The scoop finally came up with a article that “nobody”, at all, disagrees with. Libby, Steve, Peanut…you are great. Keep it up.
I have no doubt that George is proud of his family. Don’t forget,he started this.
keep up the good work and i love ur truck with the wordrobe in the back….
May GD bless you , Veronica and all of your families. Even if people forget to pay you, don’t worry Gd will pay u back for your kindness beyond your wildest dreams, THaNK YOU!
What about Wilfredo, 94?
91 Go on a code. You rock.
How many times do I have to say it, Steve? YOU DA MAN! Fughettaboutit!!
Libby, Steve and Veronica- you guys are great!
You (and George of blessed memory) have driven my wife, my kids and myself to the hospital, Dr. Shanik, etc., a few times over the past ten years.
You are kind, polite, professional and courteous.You probably know some of the laws of Shabbos better than I do.
Thank you so much for all you do! You guys really rock!
How many people thank The other members and the general theme seems to be Dr.Shanik. Maybe thank him as well.
Chasidei Umos Ha’olam, it’s always amazing when you you see them in action and can’t help but wonder whats their driving force, where is all this coming from. #36 i agree that somewhere down the line (Before George) something special was the cause of all this goodness!
Keep up the great work Steve and Veronica and Libby our appreciation knows no bounds.
libby steve you guys r the best we truly admire what you do how blessed we are to have such devoted and truly nice ppl to help us at our time of need and your respect for our shobbos and yom tov is truly remarkable
91 rocks -remeber to offer them a drink some KUGEL too
I used steve once on shabbos he really helped me and with such manner he is amazing
bth the number 91 represents a very holy number as to you might know
LETS NOT FORGET THAT L-92 (LIBBY) FOLLOWS HER SON STEVE TO EVERY SINGLE EMERGENCY CALL !!!!!!!!!! THE LAKEWOOD COMMUNITY WILL FOREVER BE GREATFULL TO THE FUGMAN FAMILY !!!!!!!! THANK YOU VERONICA FOR ALL THAT YOUVE DONE !!!!!!!!
never had to use them on shabbos b’h but i c they are amazing at what they do!!!!!! keep up the great work!
stevie is also a lcsw member all week long! hes the man! trying to keep us safe also!
Thank you very much, Steve, for all that you do for us in Lakewood. We are truly fortunate to have such kind and wonderful people living here.
THE 90’S ARE GREAT
Steve, I am glad that the media has finally caught up with you. You are a real gentelman and a kind soul. You really go beyond the call of duty when helping others and always go about it your hallmark smile. The Jewish community is truly fortunate to have you at their side.
May G-d bless you with success and joy in all you endeavor to achieve.
can we get a comment from steve?