Faces Of Nantucket: Steve Comatis

Faces of Nantucket: Steve Comatis

Years on the island: native

Favorite thing about Nantucket: the peace and quiet. When people need a hand, people here will help.

Steve Comatis has probably logged more miles driving around Nantucket over the past 35 years than just about anyone else. Comatis has driven a Harbor Fuel truck since he graduated from Nantucket High School and delivered, by his estimate, more than a billion gallons of home heating oil and fuel to island residents. Over the years he's built a reputation as someone who goes above and beyond for the people he serves - both during the work day and after hours -  with a kind smile and friendly banter.

Even though most people cringe when they see the oil truck pulling into their driveway, Comatis, 53, has a way of quickly disarming them with his demeanor.

"I try, I do, because in my eyes it's not just a paycheck," Comatis said. "If I can help someone, I'm more than happy to do it."

From the cab of his Harbor Fuel truck - which he affectionately nicknamed his "fat bottom girl" - Comatis said he was drawn to his line of work at a young age and credited former Harbor Fuel president John Stackpole for giving him an opportunity that he seized and never relinquished.

"I owe a great debt of gratitude to him," Comatis said. "He took a chance on me when I was 19 years old. He hired me. To this day, I still say he’s a good man, a great leader, a good boss. I wouldn’t change a thing."

During an average day, Comatis makes roughly 50 fuel deliveries around the island - sometimes more, sometimes less.

"My body is hurting - it's catching up to me," said Comatis. "But it's fun."

It's also catching up with his "fat bottom girl."

"That's my mistress," he said with a laugh. "me and her have been through a lot since 2016. My wife gets jealous, she says 'You spend more time in that truck than you do with me'!"