50 years strong

“It was an emotional, beautiful tribute,” said former Malverne Fire Chief Dave Weinstein. “It was a great honor — something I’m truly proud of.”

On June 25, more than 60 people packed the Malverne Firehouse to honor Weinstein, a longtime resident who was recognized for 50 years of service to the Malverne Volunteer Fire Department.

Mayor Patricia Ann Norris-McDonald, other village and Fire Department officials and Weinstein’s friends, including former chiefs of neighboring fire departments, including New Hyde Park and Oceanside, were on hand to celebrate a milestone in Weinstein’s career.

McDonald, Malverne Fire Chief Scott Edwards and others offered congratulatory remarks, and Weinstein was presented with a citation of recognition by McDonald for his service to the village.

Weinstein, 67, was born in Manhattan, but his family moved to Malverne in 1944 when he was just 6 months old. He grew up in the community and graduated from Malverne High School in 1962. And though he originally planned for a career in social work, he ultimately decided to become a firefighter instead.

“Social work was an avenue I wanted to pursue,” he told the Herald. “I just remember seeing, from time to time, the Fire Department, their operations, the discipline. I thought firefighting would be more of a challenge. I said, ‘I want to be a part of that.’”

Weinstein, who never married, joined the department in June 1962, and he said that from his first day on the job until the present, his career as a firefighter has been nothing short of rewarding.

Over the years, he has served in a number of roles, in Nassau County as well as in the village. He was Malverne’s fire chief from 1975 until 1977, chairman of the 4th Battalion Fire District from 1988 until 1993 and chairman and commissioner of the Nassau County Fire Commission from 1992 to 1993. He was also one of the founding members and is a past president of the Malverne Volunteer Ambulance Corps.