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Community mourns death of past EMFD Capt. Raymond Pfeifer

Posted Wednesday, June 7, 2017 3:45 pm

raymond pfeifer’s casket was transported from the East Meadow Fire Department Headquarters to the Holy Family Roman Catholic Church on his 1946 antique fire truck.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Ray Pfeifer received the key to New York City by Mayor Bill de Blasio for his efforts during and after the 9/11 attacks.

Courtesy FDNY

Ray Pfeifer on the scene of a fire with the East Meadow Fire Department shortly before his diagnosis, according to fellow comrade John O'Brien Sr.

Courtesy John O'Brien Sr.

East Meadow Fire Department members saluted Pfeifer during his funeral.

Sue Grieco/Herald

The New York City Fire Riders, a group which Pfeifer belonged to, traveled to East Meadow to pay their respects during Pfeifer's wake on June 1.

Bill Kelly/Herald

Bishop John Barres speaks to the school children lined up to pay their respects.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Pfeifer's 1946 antique firetruck transported his casket to the church for a service.

Sue Grieco/Herald

Ray Pfeifer, a hero to thousands

By John O'Brien Sr.

It is difficult to sum up the life of Ex Capt. Ray Pfeifer, and even more difficult to write this article about a friend, and fellow firefighter. A hero, who had such an impact on so many here in East Meadow, the city of New York, and so many first responders during the worst times of their lives.

But on Sunday, with unspeakable sadness, the East Meadow Fire Department announced that Ray Pfeifer of Engine Company #3 had passed away. Diagnosed with a 9/11-related cancer after working for months at the World Trade Center site, it was Ray who found strength in a time of his own suffering, as an icon who symbolized the battle to re-instate the Zadroga Act that was in place to provide funding for those who suffered a 9/11-related illness.

He was a Levittown resident who joined East Meadow’s Engine Company #3 after growing up watching his dad, the late Joseph Austin Pfeifer (also of Engine 3) battle fires for decades.

Years later, Ray developed a form of cancer common to so many who worked at the site. He would go through years of treatment, and continue to make the best of what life had to offer him.

He was often seen traveling around East Meadow with his antique fire truck, attending events, driving Santa during the holidays, taking part in wounded warriors programs, all while spreading his cheer to all that would meet him.

“I’m the luckiest man alive,” Ray would say. “I got 15 years more to spend with my family and friends than my brothers who died on 9/11.”

On May 28, Ray lost his battle with cancer. As one of his last requests, his beloved brothers of East Meadow’s Engine Company #3 were summoned to Ray’s side, removing him with their caring hands to begin his journey into eternal life.

Ray is survived by his loving family, wife Caryn, son Terrence, and daughter Taylor, as well as his brothers and sisters.

Thank you Ray, for all you have done in your life for your family. Your East Meadow Fire Department, our community, the FDNY, and the countless people thank you for making a difference when they needed someone like you the most.

John O’Brien Sr. is an East Meadow Fire Department ex chief.

By Stephany Reyes

Hundreds of friends, supporters, strangers and family members crowded the East Meadow Fire Department Headquarters on June 1 to honor Raymond Pfeifer, a national hero with local ties, who died after a long battle with cancer on May 28 at age 59.

Pfeifer, a beloved FDNY hero, tirelessly aided wounded victims at Ground Zero during the 9/11 attacks. He shuffled through the rubble to find survivors, and in the process, exposed himself to toxins that later developed into stage-four cancer. He became a national advocate for the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act, and traveled to Washington, D.C. over a dozen times to ensure that first responders receive health care coverage until 2090.

Pfeifer served as captain of the East Meadow Fire Department’s Engine Company #3 in 1982, along with John J. O’Brien Sr. “He was the kind of man who did anything for anyone,” he said.

EMFD Chief Joseph Lennon said that the department hosted a wake for Pfeifer a few days after his death. On June 2, Pfeifer’s casket was transported from the firehouse to Holy Family Roman Catholic Church in Hicksville in his 1946 antique fire truck while hundreds of supporters continued to pay their respects. Pfeifer’s family requested that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the FDNY Family Transportation Foundation.

Pfeifer is survived by his wife Caryn, son Terrence and daughter Taylor.

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