A farewell to former Fire Captain Michael Fischer

Michael Fischer, a 38-year-old veteran volunteer for the Island Park Fire Department, was often described as a guy who would do anything for anyone. He would always be there, whether it was at community events for his department or a barbecue with friends, Fischer, better known as Fish, would never miss out on the chance to share laughs and a good time.

Even on his last day, Fischer was taking part in a community fundraiser for an Oceanside Fire Department commissioner and his infant son, who has a rare form of cancer.

Fischer joined the Island Park F.D. in 2013, following in his grandfather’s and uncle’s footsteps. He had served as a captain from 2019 to 2020. Shortly after his death on Aug. 14, he was posthumously promoted to honorary chief, a decision made by Donny Cardineau, chief of the department.

“I felt he deserved it, although he wouldn’t have wanted the attention,” Cardineau said. “He was very humble, but it was something special that I wanted to do. I know it would have meant something to him.”

Former IPFD chief Anthony D’Esposito, now a Hempstead town councilman and a congressional candidate, who performed the promotion ceremony said, “On behalf of Chief Cardineau and the Island Park Fire Department and a grateful Village of Island Park, we present this flag in honor of honorary Chief Michael Fischer for his service, dedication and love of community”.

Cardineau met Fischer when Fischer joined the department, and they quickly became close friends. Cardineau said he would remember Fischer for being a people person — he knew everybody and everybody knew him, and, Cardineau said, he made friends wherever he went.

The chief’s fondest memories of Fischer are from Cardineau’s annual July Fourth barbecues. He invited the whole department, and members would hang out in his backyard until late into the night. Fischer was always there, Cardineau said, sharing a laugh with the other firefighters.

“After all my barbecues, we were always like, ‘Hey, Fish, come get the cooler and bring it to the next party,’” Cardineau recalled. “So he would show up in his pickup truck, we would drag it out to his truck, and whatever was left in the cooler would go to the next house. We’d just go hang out with each other and have a lot of laughs. There were times you didn’t even have to ask him; he would just show up. He was always there.”

Following a morning department training with young recruits on Aug. 14, Fischer had ridden on a company engine to a clam-eating fundraiser at Peter’s Clam Bar for Commissioner Michael Graham’s cancer-stricken infant son Cooper.

There he suffered an apparent heart attack. His fellow firefighters tried but failed to revive him.

Fischer was the first Island Park firefighter to die in the line of duty. Many attended his wake, at the Christopher T. Jordan Funeral Home on Long Beach Road, on Aug 17, and his funeral the following morning at the Sacred Heart Roman Catholic Church. The church was packed, filled with family, friends and firefighters, in their dress blues. All week, flags were flown at half-staff at county facilities in Fischer’s honor.

Cardineau remembers the last conversation he and Fischer had at the event as good-humored, as they joked with each another. That’s how he will remember their friendship, Cardineau said, as one with many laughs. He added that on his last day, Fischer was at a community event, surrounded by his friends — or his extended family. Cardineau explained that firefighters consider the firehouse to be one big family.

“He’s going to be very missed at all the department functions, or even at personal parties with our friends,” Cardineau said. “It will never be the same.”

Fischer was born and raised in Island Park. He graduated from West Hempstead High School and attended Nassau Community College. He had also worked for the County Department of Public Works.

At his funeral, County Executive Bruce Blakeman said that the manner in which he died was reflective of the life he lived. “At the time of his death, he was attending a fundraiser for a young boy who had cancer,” Blakeman said, “and that was indicative of the type of person he was: always giving of himself for the betterment of the community and the people who live in Island Park and Nassau County. So we’re here to pay respect to a firefighter and humanitarian.”

Island Park Mayor Michael McGinty described what a gut-wrenching loss to the community Fischer’s death is. “Honorary Chief Fischer was a fine example of a volunteer firefighter: always willing to give of himself and show by example of how it should be done,” McGinty said. “He is truly missed by this community, and by the firefighters who served with him. May he always rest in peace.”

Fischer is survived by two sisters, Tiffany Fischer and Allison George. He was predeceased by his parents, Michael and Patricia Fischer. He was buried alongside his parents at Greenfield Cemetery in Westbury.