Island Park Fire Department Ex-Captain Michael Fischer was helping support his fellow firefighters raise money for Oceanside Fire Commisioner Michael Graham's cancer-stricken son Cooper at the annual Peter's Clam Eating Contest Sunday when disaster struck.
Fire officials say the 38-year-old, known affectionately as "Fish," went into cardiac arrest after returning from the restroom at the restaurant and died of a heart attack.
Fire department and police medics worked for about 25 minutes to revive Fischer but were unable to regain a pulse.
"We thank the entire Nassau County Fire Service for the outpouring of support," the fire department said in a news release. "This is a dark day in our storied history."
They added that arrangements would be announced shortly.
This story will be expanded in the Aug. 18 edition.