Fallen FDNY Firefighter’s Name Added To LI Post Office

FLORAL PARK, NY — Nearly three years to the day FDNY Lieutenant Michael Davidson was killed in the line-of-duty fighting a fire that broke out inside a Harlem brownstone, the U.S. Post Office in his hometown of Floral Park was named in his honor on Tuesday.

The 37-year-old Davidson, who was a 15-year veteran of FDNY, died on March 22, 2018, battling a five-alarm blaze which broke out at an old jazz club serving as the set for the film “Motherless Brooklyn,” CBS Local reported. His death sparked calls for better safety on film sets and the New York City Council has since approved two bills to help improve safety for the city’s firefighters.

In a virtual dedication ceremony, his widow, Eileen said she and Davidson worked very hard to plant roots in the village where they planned to raise their children together. Davidson became a “fixture” in the village, whether it was at Tiny Town, the Tulip Bakery, or just pushing a double stroller with four kids in tow along Tulip Avenue, she said.

“To have Michael’s name memorialized in this way, is truly a gift to our family, and what a gift it will be for our children to see our family’s name, and for years to come in this way,” said Davison, surrounded by family members, before she shared a video montage of photos from their life together.

“It truly is such a tremendous honor,” she said.

During the ceremony, Floral Park Postmaster Harold Bonilla unveiled a plaque dedicated in Davidson’s honor that will be installed at the post office which is located at 35 Tulip Ave.

Bonilla said that the dedication ceremony fell on a “monumental day” for the Davidson family because it marks the third anniversary of his death.

“We are honoring a fallen hero, one who was a valued member of the FDNY, as well as a son, a brother, a husband, and a father,” he said.

Davidson, who graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in Queens and Iona College in New Rochelle, received numerous decorations for bravery in the line-of-duty during his career with FDNY, according to U.S. Rep. Kathleen Rice’s office.

FDNY chaplain Monsignor John Delendick described Davidson as a man of service who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“He was a man who lived out his dream, lived out his love, and lived his service for all of us,” he said.

Rice, who spearheaded the act of Congress paving a way for Davidson’s honor, said he came from a family with a history of service, following in the footsteps of his father, Robert, and his brother, Eric, is also a firefighter. Davidson embodied what a hero is meant to be, she said.

“Michael chose a career of service and sacrifice,” Rice said. “He was selfless. He dedicated his own life to protecting others, and this was well-known by his fellow firefighters. Michael was well-regarded for his bravery and life-saving actions.”

That is why it was so “devastating” when he lost his life, and his fellow firefighters and the “entire Floral Park community were crushed,” but the feelings were nothing in comparison to those felt by Davidson’s family and friends, Rice said.

“Every time we pass this building, we will remember Michael and everything he stood for,” she said.

Floral Park Mayor Frank Longobordi called it an honor to have the post office named after Davidson because “as we are all there every day, passing it, seeing it, we will remember all of the good things that he did, and all of the wonderful things that he embodied.”

He went on to thank Eileen Davidson for staying in the village, and credited her and her family for serving as an inspiration for other families.

“You are a special family her for us, but more importantly you make sure that Floral Park remains that special family that it is,” he said.

Richard Karsten, president of Archbishop Molloy High School, said that Davidson “embraced being a firefighter as a calling.”

“Thank you, Michael, for continuing to be a shining example to all of us, so we can honor and celebrate your life and your commitment to the people of the city,” he said.