Friday, November 13, 2026
For more than two decades, the Oceanside Fire Department has kept the memory of one of its own alive, turning an annual day on the golf course into an opportunity to honor a fallen firefighter while supporting the next generation of Oceanside students.
The department hosted its 24th annual Kenny Marino Memorial Scholarship Fund Golf Outing on Oct. 19 at Douglaston Golf Course, continuing a tradition that has raised more than $70,000 in scholarships for graduating Oceanside High School seniors since 2002.
The outing honors Kenneth J. Marino, an Oceanside native and FDNY firefighter who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while responding to the World Trade Center.
Marino began his firefighting career at 18 as a volunteer with the Oceanside Fire Department. He later joined the Long Beach Fire Department before fulfilling his longtime goal of becoming a New York City firefighter, ultimately serving with FDNY Rescue Company 1.
Gary Fish, chairman of the annual outing, said the event is about more than raising money. It is a commitment to remembering a firefighter whose dedication to service left a lasting impact on his community.
"We don't forget our own," Fish said. "He was one of us; he will always be."
Originally scheduled for late September, this year's outing was postponed because of inclement weather.
Despite the scheduling challenges, the fundraiser continued its mission of supporting local students through scholarships funded entirely by event proceeds.
Participants contributed through golf registration fees, sponsorships, raffles, 50/50 drawings and individual donations. Community members who could not attend were also able to contribute directly to the scholarship fund.
"All the money that we make goes 100 percent into the scholarships," Fish said.
Planning for the outing begins months in advance, with Fish typically starting preparations in January. Once one event concludes, he begins organizing the next.
The tradition also brings together members of the fire department, including firefighters from Hose Company No. 1, Marino's former company, who participate or contribute to the fundraiser.
Marino's parents remain an important part of the annual gathering, attending the dinner and receiving recognition from the department in honor of their son.
Beyond the golf outing, the department has expanded its fundraising efforts with an annual spring craft fair, organized by department member Christina Rahn. Introduced two years ago, the fair has become another way to support the scholarship fund while keeping Marino's legacy alive.
For Fish, continuing these traditions is especially important as younger generations grow up without firsthand memories of Sept. 11.
Through the scholarships and annual gatherings, the department hopes to ensure that Marino's sacrifice and commitment to his community are never forgotten.
"That's how we try to keep his memory alive," Fish said. "We don't forget."
