Lyle Chernoff 1955 - 2015

The Island Park Fire Department lost member and good friend; Lyle Chernoff was much loved and admired. He joined the fire department Sept. 27, 2010, and was a member of Rescue Company No. 1. In 2011 he was certified as an EMT-B, and maintained one of the highest call percentages, always one of the first to arrive.

At the Sept. 17 Village Board meeting Mayor Michael McGinty asked for a moment of silence in his memory, and praised him for his contribution to the community. McGinty noted that Chernoff’s beloved Rottweiler, Bosco, had found a new home. Chernoff adopted Rottweilers from rescue groups and was devoted to them. “Lyle Chernoff embodied the very essence of a volunteer, not only giving his time to keep our community safe as a member of the IPFD, but always opening his heart to many organizations,” McGinty said.

Long time friend and fellow firefighter Richard Herbst said, “Lyle liked his Harley Davidson.” He was a great motorcycle rider, Herbst said, taught me how to ride safely, took me for my license and was a great riding partner, and a honorary member of Fire Riders motorcycle club, Nassau County chapter. He liked German cars that had a different or rare option.

“He was a great EMT with the Island Park Fire Department,” Herbst said, “Straight shooting no BS guy who told you how he felt. He was generous with his time to various organizations.” He was active in the Jimi Gubelli Foundation’s activities, the Stephen Siller Foundation, and Sacred Heart Church.

Services were at the Christopher T. Jordan funeral home on Sept. 17, and he was buried at Mount Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale.