A tribute to Valley Stream fathers

Following a firefighter father's footsteps

David Ortiz said he often cooks large meals for all members of his family — his wife, their three children and the members of the Valley Stream Fire Department. The children and their father agree that Ortiz’s commitment to the Valley Stream Fire Department has allowed them to form strong relationships with new people and get closer to one another.

Ortiz has been volunteering with the department for 16 years, formerly serving as a captain and currently advising the junior firefighters, ages 11-17. Two of the children he has worked with as juniors are his own: Brianna, 16 and Ryan, 12, with 10-year-old Jared planning to join when he is old enough. As long as they maintain their grades, their mother, Cookie, said she is more than happy to let them spend time at the firehouse with their father.

“It keeps him involved with the kids,” she said. “At first, they didn’t understand why daddy always had to be at the firehouse, but now they see it. They see what he does there and I think it’s a great thing.”

David Ortiz is also a sanitation worker for the Town of Hempstead and works as a truck driver. He said although he enjoys riding go-karts and spending as much time with his children as he can, but he’s often tired because his volunteer job requires more effort than his other positions combined.

But Brianna said in spite of the fact that her father is often busy and can be a tough disciplinarian, she enjoys spending time with him at home and with her “second family” at the firehouse. “My dad can be strict, but he’s a goofball,” she said. “He’s a 3-year-old at heart and gets along with us very well.”

The toughest thing for any father

Dr. Sherby Clarke will spend this Father’s Day ministering at the Valley Stream Baptist Church, where he serves as pastor. He will spend quiet time with his wife Nadine Clarke and their children, Timothy Sherby Sherman, 2, and Sharadine, 1. He will also continue making preparations for return to his home in Jamaica for his son Ricardo’s funeral.