Centerport FD's Ex-Captain Passes Away at Age 78

Obituary, Photo by Steve Silverman

The Centerport Fire Department recently mourned the loss of an ex-captain who was a longtime member of their department.

Edward McGuire Jr. passed away on Feb, 2. He was 78-years-old.

McGuire was born in Queens, NY, and later moved to Centerport, joining the department in 1976.

McGuire was a very active volunteer, first serving as Lieutenant and Captain of the then Service Company. During those years, McGuire became an EMT and member of the Centerport Rescue Squad, responding to assist sick and injured residents. He later served as Lieutenant and Captain of the Fire Police. McGuire was dedicated to the Centerport community and in 1995 was elected as Fire Commissioner, serving until 1999.

In his younger days, McGuire served our country in the U.S. Army, assigned to a Nike missile site in New Jersey. After his army tour of duty ended, he was accepted into Cooper Union in New York City, a very elite school of higher learning. He also had worked as a summer lifeguard at Jones Beach.

McGuire went to work teaching at a BOCES school where he sent many men and women onto successful careers in many different trades in the building industry. He was an electrician by trade, and started McGuire Electric which his son Edward, also a member of the Centerport Fire Department, now operates.

McGuire loved the outdoors, fishing, hunting or being at his property upstate in Downsville. His number one love was his family, his wife Dolores and children Edward, Joseph, Judy, Christopher and his seven grandchildren.