Farewell for fallen Baldwin firefighter

If there was one way to describe Michael Esposito, who died last week on his way to a call, one would have to look no further than the Frank Sinatra classic, "My Way," the Rev. Steve Camp told mourners Monday at the Baldwin firefighter's funeral.

He was a take-charge type, blunt but sensitive, Camp said. And entirely dedicated to public service.

"He was a person who found his best in what he did for others," said Camp, pastor of St. Christopher's Church in Baldwin.

Esposito, 43, a former captain and a 21-year volunteer of the Baldwin Fire Department, died Wednesday after apparently having a heart attack while responding to a fire call.

"He knew how to be serious and he also knew when to joke around," Chief Kevin Smith told mourners at the funeral Mass held at St. Christopher's. "As a friend, he was very dear to all of us. I use the word friend, but to all of us at Company 1, he was more than a friend."

Esposito was on Engine 201 on his way to a house fire when he indicated to his fellow firefighters that he was having discomfort in his chest. An ambulance took him to South Nassau Communities Hospital in Oceanside, where he was pronounced dead.

Hundreds of firefighters from departments in Nassau County as well as Suffolk and New York City attended Monday morning's farewell.

In a traditional fire department send off, hook-and-ladder trucks from the Franklin and Freeport fire departments held an American flag that towered over Merrick Road across from St. Christopher's Church.

"Mike lived for the Baldwin Fire Department," Smith said, choking back tears. "I'm grateful for his service."

After the funeral Mass, family, friends and firefighters walked from Merrick Road to Grand Avenue, led by the Nassau County Firefighters Pipe Band.

Esposito's coffin was placed atop an antique fire truck, and once it reached the front of the firehouse a bell was rung seven times to symbolize that an ex-captain had died in the line of duty. The ringing of the bell was followed by a loud siren symbolizing Esposito's last fire call.