On September 5, the Cherry Grove Fire Department (CGFD) celebrated the life of its late Chief of the Fire Police Dominic DeSantis, who passed away on December 31, 2019. Dominic was born in Binghamton, New York, on July 24, 1929. He survived by John Behan, his partner of nearly 50 years; by colleagues in CGFD; and by the Cherry Grove community.
Participants in the ceremony included Chief Craig Williams, President Arthur Cohen, Commissioner Michael G. Romanelli, First Assistant Chief Laura Ann Giusto, and former Chief Steve Williams. Chaplain Kurt Gahan led the service, with songs “His Eye Is on the Sparrow” and “Amazing Grace” sung by Second Assistant Chief Kay Davis, and “Amazing Grace” and “Going Home,” played by a bagpiper from the Emerald Society, and the Prayer of Intercession, read by Lorraine Michels. Arthur Cohen presented Dominic’s badge number twelve to John Behan, who shared memories of Dominic. Other speakers were Cherry Grove Community Association, Inc. President Diane Romano, who announced that a firetruck has been named in Dominic’s honor; Dr. Ed Schulhafer, of the Pines Care Center; Bobbie Green; Richard Schack; and Dominic’s nephew Eddie, from Binghamton.
Speakers shared memories of Dominic’s participation in the Fire Department, the Arts Project of Cherry Grove, the Cherry Grove Property Owners Association, the House Blessing, and the Memorial Day Service; of his family; and of his work with Air France. The scattering of Dominic’s ashes on the dunes followed.
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