Kenny’s nephew’s friends were seated behind the girl and watched the incident unfold. Kenny had asked the woman what her daughter’s name was, and she answered “Paola,” which amazed the friends. Kenny’s nephew was getting married the next day to a woman with the same name. His friends began calling Kenny “Mikeguyver” for using seemingly random objects to help save the girl.

Lisa had remained seated during the commotion because the plane was about to land, and because the girl was so small, she couldn’t tell what was going on. When she found out what had happened, though, she wasn’t surprised. “He’s that type of person,” she said of her husband. “He’s always looking to help people, and that’s what’s so special about him.”

When Kenny, who lives in Hewlett, returned home a few days later, a doctor from American Airlines called him to thank him for saving the girl’s life. He credited his firefighter training as the reason the story had a happy ending.

The Village of Lynbrook recognized Kenny at a meeting last month. “I have known Mike Kenny for almost 30 years,” Mayor Bill Hendrick said, “and I have always been proud of him — but his heroic actions in this matter make me even more proud to call him my friend.”

Kenny said that his heroic effort was just “part of the job.”