“I was driving into Rumbrook Park in Greenburgh on the way to my weekly softball game July 26. As I drove past one of the other fields I saw something. I can’t say what it was but it was enough for me to stop my car and run onto the field.”

This begins a story about Pediatric Dentist David Zirlin, who practices in Larchmont and White Plains, intuition and luck, and a man’s life saved.

Normally, Zirlin played at 7:00 pm with the Greenburgh Softball League, but he ran late, and the later games are played on a different field. Thus, he drove a way he usually doesn’t, past the field where something was happening.

Zirlin found Vito DeBellis, who is also involved with the League, unconscious, lying on his back surrounded by his teammates, having a massive heart attack.

“He was rushed to Westchester Medical Center where I am an attending on staff, says Zirlin, “I went to the hospital to check on him. He had a quadruple bypass the next day.”

As a result of this event, the Town installed an Automatic External Defibrillator at the Park.

This week, Zirlin, and members of the EMS, police and fire department that all played a role saving Vito’s life We honored by the Town of Greenburgh to a standing room only crowd.

“You hope you never have to use your Emergency Training skills. But that night I was very glad I have them.”

And so is Vito Debellis.