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Ossining Resident Finds Passion In The Pool

OSSINING, N.Y. -- For Ossining resident Fern Quezada, fixing pools is a family affair.

Fern Quezada, an Ossining-based resident who fixes pools.

Fern Quezada, an Ossining-based resident who fixes pools.

Photo Credit: Courtesy of Fern Quezada

Quezada fixes and repairs pool leaks, in an industry where women are not very common. Quezada's late father started repairing pool leaks after he retired from the police department in New Paltz.

"I never thought my dad would go from being a police officer to fixing pools," Quezada said. "It's  the last thing I expected him to do."

Quezada's father was into scuba diving which helped lead to his pool career. The day after her father's funeral in 2014, Quezada received a call from a customer complaining that their is pool was leaking.

"He built such a clientele," Quezada said. "His business was really flourishing. It was a blessing, it allowed me to work through my grief. I was not really thinking about fixing swimming schools.

Business remained steady and Quezada, who is now a certified scuba driver, fixes pools while looking after her two children. With the cold winter, Quezada has only gotten a few calls, but she expects business to pick up in April.

"I've had some nutty conversations," Quezada said. "I go all over the Hudson Valley. I've been three hours north of New Paltz."

So far, Quezada has only met men in her field and some people are surprised at what she does. 

"People ask me if I'm nervous to be myself," Quezada said.

Quezada said she loves being able to travel around the Hudson Valley and meet new people.

"It's a secluded job but it can be a very personal job," Quezada said. "I've met a lot of great people that I wouldn't have met."

Fixing pool leaks in Westchester means Quezada has seen some fancy pools.

"Some of them cost $200,000," Quezada said. "I've also seen some above ground pools people bought at Wal-Mart."

Quezada said homeowners should not let dogs swim in their pools and to not use cinder blocks to hold up a pool cover. Pool owners should also use a service to clean their pool, Quezada said.

For more information, contact Quezada at (914) 414-9909 or underwaterpoolrepair316@gmail.com. 

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