Funeral arrangements set for Island Park firefighter Michael Fischer
The Island Park Fire Department announced that former Captain Michael Fischer, 38, died in the line of duty. Fischer suffered a medical emergency Sunday following training while at a department event. Credit: Island Park Fire Department
As flags at municipal facilities across Nassau County continued to fly at half-staff in his honor, the Island Park Fire Department on Tuesday announced funeral arrangements for fallen firefighter Michael Fischer, who died of an apparent heart attack Sunday following a training exercise.
Fischer, 38, was born and raised in Island Park, graduated West Hempstead High School, and served with the department almost 10 years, following in the footsteps of his maternal grandfather — who'd been an Island Park firefighter — as he rose to the ranks of lieutenant and captain.
He worked for the Nassau County Department of Public Works and, following his death, County Executive Bruce Blakeman ordered flags at all county facilities flown at half-staff through Thursday.
Black and purple bunting is hung above the doors of the Island Park Fire Department, and the flag is flown at half mast Monday in mourning for fallen firefighter Michael Fischer. Credit: Jeff Bachner
Officials said Fischer had helped train new recruits Sunday morning, then rode on a department engine to Peter's Clam Bar on Long Beach Road, where firefighters were holding a fundraiser for the family of an Oceanside fire official whose infant son had been diagnosed with a rare cancer. Minutes after arriving at the event, former Island Park Fire Department Chief Anthony D'Esposito said Fischer went into cardiac arrest and died, despite the best efforts of firefighters and paramedics at the fundraiser.
Fischer is survived by two sisters.
Officials said the wake will be Wednesday, 4-8 p.m., at the Christopher T. Jordan Funeral Home at 302 Long Beach Rd. in Island Park.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church on Long Beach Road in Island Park on Thursday, 9:15 a.m., followed by burial at Greenfield Cemetery in Uniondale.
The Town of Hempstead has waived fees for Fischer's burial at Greenfield Cemetery.
"Fisch was probably one of the nicest guys you'll ever meet," former department chief and current Island Park village trustee Robert Tice said Monday. "You couldn't ask for a better person."
John Valenti, a reporter at Newsday since 1981, has been honored nationally by the Associated Press and Society of the Silurians for investigative, enterprise and breaking news reporting, as well as column writing, and is the author of “Swee'pea,” a book about former New York playground basketball star Lloyd Daniels. Valenti is featured in the Emmy Award-winning ESPN 30-for-30 film “Big Shot.”
