Kevin F. McHugh, 58

Kevin F. McHugh, Cedarhurst resident who worked at LaGuardia Airport as a U.S. Airways customer service agent and was a three-time chief of the Lawrence- Cedarhurst Fire Department (LCFD), died of a heart attack on Feb. 28. He was 58.

Dena Trapani, McHugh’s daughter, remembers her father for his heroism. “He saved a child when I was in college,” Trapani said. “He was chief of LCFD at the time of the Nassau Herald fire in 2004. He gave it his all that day. These are just a few of the things I hold onto.”

Trapani also remembers how her father kept the family together after her mother died. “Our father always told us that family came first, the firehouse second and everything else was third,” she said. “He created such a strong bond between us and especially after my mom’s untimely death, we grew closer. He became our rock and was always there for his two girls, making sure we always had anything we needed.”

McHugh is survived by his two daughters, Dena (Richie) Trapani and Kerri McHugh; his grandson, Presley; his brother John (Lisa) and sister Patti McHugh; and his nephews, John, James and Joe. He was predeceased by his wife, Janet (Keppell) McHugh, in 2009.

A funeral mass was held at St. Joachim R.C. Church in Cedarhurst and interment was at Pinelawn Memorial Park in Farmingdale on March 5.

“People often tell us that we remind them of our father, and that is the greatest compliment there is,” Trapani said. “We will always take that spirit with us, and strive to continue the wonderful legacy he has left for us. We will miss dad’s presence, his voice, his smile, and his jokes, but we will always have his love.”