Baldwin Fire Department pays tribute to Stephen Barry

The Baldwin Fire Department paid tribute to Stephen Barry on June 6, just a few yards from where the rookie firefighter was killed in a tragic accident on Grand Avenue 35 years ago.

"We are here to affirm to the Barry family who gave their son — their brother — that we will never forget," said Baldwin Fire District Supervisor Jerry Brown at the ceremony, during which a stretch of Grand Avenue was named in Barry's honor.

Many of the firefighters who were in his unit — Ladder Company 2 — the night he was killed were on hand for the ceremony. Frank Slover, who was the company's 1st lieutenant at the time, was one of the first firefighters on the scene when Barry was struck and killed by a car.

"It was like losing a member of your family," Slover said. "I was devastated that night. It's something I never want to go through again."

Added Slover, "It was harder for me than losing a parent — that's how closely bonded we are ... it's a family up here."

On June 4, 1975, Barry, a probationary firefighter, was working at Lange's Liquors in Baldwin when he got a call at about 6:30 p.m. about a house fire just down the road from the store. The then 23-year-old was attempting to cross Grand Avenue when he died.

Despite the tragic outcome of that night, Brown said that Barry died doing what he loved, helping those in need. Barry strove to be first on the truck when the department got a call, Brown said, and would secretly hone skills like tying knots so that he was prepared when the older guys challenged him.

"[Barry] was doing what was right ... he was doing what he loved ... he died surrounded by his brothers," said Brown, who graduated from Baldwin High School with Barry in 1970. "It was just a tragic accident. It's such a shame — he had everything going for him."

Everything including his wedding date, which was just a few weeks away.

Local elected officials also attended the ceremony, including Nassau County Legislator Joe Scannell (D-Baldwin), a lifelong resident. Scannell said he remembered being at the former Friendly's restaurant on Grand Avenue when the accident occurred, just a few yards away. Scannell was just 14 at the time.