Finkelman family gives award to high school seniors

Nelson H. Finkelman was a dedicated East Meadow firefighter and his wife, Gloria, always supported his endeavors. That’s why in 2018, after the death of their father in 2013 and their mother in 2016, siblings Jody Ratner, Lori Finkelman, Michael Finkelman and Amy Counts created the Finkelman Family Fund.

The fund is used to provide high school seniors who participate in the Junior firefighters program with a monetary award. Junior firefighters are between the ages of 14 to 17 who have an interest in firefighting and emergency medical services. While they’re a junior they train with different companies and learn various methods of firefighting.

“I know the amount of time and dedication that people have to put in to be part of the fire department,” Ratner said.

Her father served as chief in 1967 and become a Life Member of the department. He was also an instructor at the Fire Service Academy in Old Bethpage and worked at the fire marshal’s office in Nassau County. He also was a founding director of the Nassau County Firefighters Burn Center at Nassau University Medical Center.

The fund grew to have even more meaning when Michael, who had followed in their father’s footsteps to become a firefighter, died in 2019. Much like his father, he was devoted to the EMFD. He was a Life Member, two-term Ex-Chief, an instructor at the Fire Service Academy and a member of the Board of Commissioners.

Multiple high school seniors have been recognized for their dedication and this year, W.T. Clarke High School seniors Connor Cheswick and Aidan Finneran and Saint Mary’s High School senior Aidan Cole were recognized. The awards were presented by Ratner at the fire department’s meeting on June 6.

“I grew up with the Finkelman family and they were mentors to me,” Cheswick said. “I hope I am making them proud.”

Not only were they recognized at the meeting, but they also got to share the experience at their high schools. Cole received cheers and applause when Ratner presented the award to him in front of his peers and teachers at Saint Mary’s on June 1. Finneran and Cheswick will be acknowledged at Clarke High School on June 13.

“It was an honor,” Cole said. “Getting the support from classmates was something special.”

“I’ve seen them grow since they were fourteen,” EMFD Ex-chief Joseph Lennon said. “Everything is like second nature to them. Now, they are able to teach the younger kids what to do.”