By John Vastyan

There ’ s a company in Greenwich , CT that has , at its roots , a long history of fuel oil deliveries and thousands of appreciative customers . They ’ ve been at it for more than 80 years – with customer service that ’ s sustained them through many decades .

The Cortese family-owned New England Total Energy offers a array of energy services including oil , diesel and propane delivery , hydronic and HVAC installation and service as well as home energy audits ; even insulation .

Founded in 1939 by Vincenzo Cortese , the family and its 60 + employees have served the needs of customers in Fairfield County , CT and Westchester , NY areas since those early years . Frank Cortese , VP , represents the family ’ s third generation ( and , yes – there ’ s a 4th generation moving toward industry involvement ).

“ We work hard – it ’ s in our blood – and we ’ re always looking for ways to grow and diversify ,” said Yolanda Cortese , Frank ’ s Mom and president of New England Total Energy . Yolanda is the widow of Demetrio Cortese ; he and Yolanda represent the second generation to operate the company ; Frank is the third generation .

No longer just an oil delivery company , these days New England Total Energy ( NETE ) strives to meet much broader customer needs and expectations . “ We want to be able to offer ‘ the whole package ’ for our customers ,” added Frank . “ So that when a need arises with mechanical or HVAC system or – better yet – to fend-off emergencies through pre-season maintenance , we ’ re there promptly and with the tools and experience needed to meet the challenge .

Rosalie Celestino – NETE ’ s loyal customer for three-quarters of a century – would agree . She recalls , at the age of 12 , having a crush on Frank ’ s dad (“ Yolanda was sooo lucky !”) Celestino ’ s now 83 years young , but clearly remembers how impressed she was with Demitrio and all of his employees . “ Their work ethic impressed me , so much so that when I went to work at Hubba-Hubba , our family restaurant [ in 1951 ], I wanted to work just as hard as they did .

“ The family ’ s held up their good reputation through the years ,” added Celestino . “ They ’ re all such great people , dedicated to their work , honest , humble and ethical in every way .” You ’ ll soon learn more from Celestino – who recalls carrying fuel oil up ( a big improvement to firewood ) to their second story apartment back in the 1950s .

Employees ? Well , more like family

“ It requires a commitment on our part to stay abreast of the latest technology , and in hiring people who have the right character and technical aptitude , people who take pride in their work and also in providing the level of customer service that our customers have come to appreciate ,” continued Frank . “ These are the things that contribute to and build a company ’ s good reputation in the community . We now have so many long-term employees that they ’ ve simply become an extension of the family .”

“ We ’ re in it for the long haul ,” added Yolanda . “ We also devote a lot of time and resources to engage and train our staff . This shows them that it ’ s not entirely

36 MARCH 2023 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www . fueloilnews . com