MYFOXNY.COM -
An elderly man is back in his Amityville home, which was destroyed by the storm, thanks to some hard work and donations from generous neighbors.
"Oh boy, I wish my wife could see this," said the new homeowner Pete Picucci.
It's been a week and a half since Picucci has seen his Amityville, Long Island home. On Sunday, he says he is a grateful man.
"There isn't a word in the dictionary to express my appreciation and my happiness at this very moment," said an emotional Picucci.
FOX 5 News first met 95-year-old Picucci the day before Thanksgiving as he warmed himself in front of his fire place. But no heat, hot water or electricity were the least of Picucci's problems – his entire home was destroyed by Sandy and if that wasn't enough, the town had sent him a letter three weeks after the storm complaining about the garbage pile up in front of his house.
"When I read this I said son of a gun," said Picucci.
A Long Island contractor, Dubb saw Fox 5's report and wanted to help.
"I'm blessed to be in a business and in a position that I could coordinate an operation like this and get it all done and really return the quality of life to this gentleman," said Dubb.
Dubb and more than 50 volunteers got busy starting last Saturday, gutting and rebuilding the entire home.
"The facade of the house is new, new kitchen, new floors, new carpet, new appliances, new boilers, new electric," said Dubb.
On Sunday, Picucci saw it all for the first time.
"Holy cow, who's is this, beautiful, beautiful, wow, it is a new house, look at the kitchen -- did you see the kitchen?" said an excited Picucci.
The kitchen is only the beginning -- in all, Picucci came home to a brand new living room, dining room, office, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom – all donated by Dubb and neighbors.
And for Picucci, an avid train collector, Dubb built him a new workspace in the garage.
"He (Dubb) doesn't know me from Adam, I didn't know him from Adam, and look see what he did, he's wonderful," said Picucci.
Dubb doesn't want any praise; he says he's just thankful to have been part of the reconstruction.
"Great, great, I feel like I wish I could do it for everybody," said an emotional Dubb.
It's after the big reveal and all of the volunteers are in the back enjoying a late lunch. They say today has been one of the most rewarding days of their lives, and the contractor, Mike Dubb, says he's going to help more families affected by Sandy.
