Mentor and active member of Oyster Bay Fire Department dies of Covid

Lifelong Oyster Bay octogenarian dies of Covid

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Edwin J. Rahilly Jr. probably would have lived at least another 10 years had it not been for Covid-19, his second cousin Thomas Rahilly Jr. said. Thomas, the second assistant chief at Oyster Bay Fire Co. No. 1, has fond memories of Ed, who died on Jan. 8 at age 86. Ed was in tremendous shape, he said.

“The men in our family live long,” Thomas explained. “Ed was extremely active, was here for most fire calls and he was involved in many other county organizations too, so he was always busy.”

Rahilly and his wife, Mary Ellen, were rushed by ambulance to the hospital a little over a week before he died. He was diagnosed with pneumonia, and when the couple were tested for Covid, they were both positive. Mary Ellen managed to recover, and returned home. Thomas said his cousin was recovering, too, before his health worsened.

The father of Michael Rahilly and Karen D’Elia, Ed was a family man, several people said.

“He was a dedicated husband, father and friend,” said Michael, who’s also a firefighter. “I will miss his advice, his opinions and playing golf [with him]. Most of all, I will miss my brother I called my father.” 

Ed was a 66-year member of the OBFD, and its chief from 1971 to 1973. Anthony DeCarolis, currently its first deputy chief, was chief in 2005 and 2006 and then again in 2011. He said that Rahilly was the first member of the department to die of the virus.

DeCarolis has lifelong memories of Rahilly. When he served in the United States Air Force from  1956 to 1960, DeCarolis’s father, Frank, was serving in the Army. Rahilly separated from the Air Force for reserve duty in 1962, which Frank also joined. They were good friends working for LILCO in the information technology department. Rahilly was employed there for 37 years.

“They were both computer guys, and Ed was always around,” DeCarolis said. “He was one of the first people to inspire me to join the fire service. Ed was a firefighter 10 years before I was born. The fire service was his whole life.”

Rahilly was involved in other Firematic organizations, too, including his service as the president of the Nassau County Fireman’s Benevolent Association. He was also the founding member of the board of directors of the Nassau County Firefighters Museum and Education Center. He helped found the museum.

Thomas said that Rahilly’s work at the museum was from the ground up. He was instrumental in getting the building for the museum and the funding that was needed.

“Ed helped shape the museum as it is today,” Alana Petrocelli, the museum’s executive director said. “He helped in any way he could, moving trucks, painting, fundraising. He was always there to give a helping hand.”

Petrocelli said that Rahilly had a way with children too. He appeared to enjoy teaching classes on fire prevention to them.

Others knew of his dedication to the museum, including Louis Pillari, the founder and director of the Oyster Bay Funeral Home, where Rahilly worked.

“The Firefighters Museum would not be there if it wasn’t for Ed,” Pillari said. Rahilly had worked for Pillari for over 20 years as a host and pallbearer. “He was a wonderful guy, the kind of guy that would do anything for anyone. It was tough for me to get the phone call. I cried like a baby . . . I loved him.”

Melissa Schmidt, a director at the funeral home, said Rahilly’s presence put people at ease when they entered the building. “He was very honest,” she said, “and he was able to make people laugh in the most subtle ways.”

Rahilly, a lifelong Oyster Bay resident, was at the OBFD’s firehouse two days a week, Thomas said. Referring to Rahilly as his “elder statesman,” Thomas said his cousin was an excellent source of advice. He was the go-to guy.

Vincent Bellisimo, an OBFD chief in 2009 and an assistant chief three other times,   described Rahilly as someone who would take charge. Everything he did was for the betterment of the Fire Department, Bellisimo said. Rahilly would always be there.

“For all of us who ever held the position of chief, Ed was a mentor,” said Bellisimo, who had known Rahilly since 1976. “He also taught me how to pump the engine, which is complicated, but Ed made it simple.”

He was also right on top of things administratively, Bellisimo said, helping to write up policy as late as this past summer. “I will miss his wisdom in administrative matters,” he said. “He always had some insight into administrative stuff at the firehouse. Every year when we held our election the chief would say he was turning his chair over to Ed.”

Michael said that his father’s greatest passion was the fire service. “He will be missed across this county,” he said, “as a leader of firefighters and a calming stern example on the fireground.”

Rahilly had strong opinions, DeCarolis said, and if he thought someone was wrong he would tell them so. “He also was always watching to be sure that protocols were followed at the firehouse,” DeCarolis said. “Ed always had his eyes on everything going on. If someone wasn’t doing the job or doing something wrong they would hear about it, which I liked.”

Pillari said he will miss Rahilly. “I know it wasn’t his time,” Pillari said. “Ed didn’t look 86. His parents lived into their 90’s. This Covid . . .”