New Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino conducted a ceremonial street renaming dedication on Saturday, August 26th in honor of fallen FDNY Hero Raymond J. Pfeifer, who died in the line of duty on May 28th of this year as a result of renal carcinoma, a cancer he developed after being exposed to toxins while working at the 9-11 site. The ceremony included a street sign unveiling at the corner of Ballad Lane and Blueberry Lane in Hicksville. Another sign will be permanently displayed at the intersection of Ballad Lane and Bishop Lane. The signs read “F.D.N.Y. Fireman Raymond J. Pfeifer Way,” and are situated near the home where Firefighter Pfeifer resided.
Firefighter Pfeifer grew up in Levittown and moved to Hicksville in 1989, where he lived with his wife, Caryn, his son, Terence and his daughter, Taylor. He served as an FDNY firefighter with Engine 40/Ladder 35 from 1987 to 2014. During his tenure with the FDNY, Firefighter Pfeifer earned the respect of his colleagues with his dedication, caring and attention to detail. “He was loved and respected by residents of New York City as well as the Hicksville community he proudly called home,” Supervisor Saladino said. “To those who had the pleasure to know Raymond, it was no surprise that he was able to leave such an indelible mark, both socially and professionally.”
Supervisor Saladino noted that Pfeifer had a unique ability to connect with people and felt a tremendous sense of duty as a firefighter to stand up for those in need. “He reliably handled even the most challenging assignments and always carried himself with dignity and respect,” Supervisor Saladino said. “He also was widely respected for dedicated efforts in advocating for those first responders whose health was compromised as a result of 9/11.”
Even after being diagnosed with cancer in 2009 and enduring the effects of its metastasizing to his bones, lungs and brain, Pfeifer continued to tirelessly advocate for the World Trade Center Health Program, 9/11Health Care Bill/Zadroga Extension Bill with John Feal (Feal Good Foundation), Kenny Specht (retired FDNY), Actor/TV Host Jon Stewart, Congressman Peter King and Senator Kristin Gillibrand. This advocacy included countless trips to Washington DC and New York City and over 400 face to face meetings with members of the Senate and Congress on behalf of the more than 72,000 people diagnosed with 9/11 related illnesses since 2001. The bill was signed by the President of the United States on December 18, 2016.
“Firefighter Pfeifer, is a ‘True American Hero’,” Supervisor Saladino said. “He paid the ultimate price serving his fellow citizens. This street, in the community where he lived for many years, will serve as reminder to all residents of his sacrifice and his extraordinary life.”
“Raymond cared about everyone he came in contact with,” Supervisor Saladino concluded. “This dedication ceremony was the Town’s way of showing how much we cared about him.”