LI Firefighter, 'Man Of Abundance' Remembered By Friends, Colleagues

BRENTWOOD, NY — Marcos Ledesma was walking down Fulton Street in Brentwood, near the East Brentwood Fire Department, in May 2020, when he witnessed a tragic accident. A four-year-old girl had been run over by a car right outside of her home.

Police later determined that the driver was impaired by drugs. The child was later taken over to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

As a bystander, Ledesma felt helpless.

“He told one of the providers that he wishes that he would have done more,” said Lt. Kevin Aguilar of the East Brentwood Fire Department. “ (They said) you're more than welcome to join.”

The story of how volunteer firefighter Marcos Ledesma joined the East Brentwood Fire Department, is just one of many memories his team will cherish, as they honored his own passing at funeral services on Monday.

Ledesma, an army veteran, died in a car accident near Exit 41 the South Shore Expressway at about 5:40 a.m. of July 9, New York State police confirmed with Patch. He was pronounced dead at the scene, police said.

He was 31.

Bay Shore Fire Department first responded to the scene,a News 12 report said. When they saw a firefighter jacket in Ledesma’s car, they contacted East Brentwood Fire Department Chief Bryant Figeuroa, who attended the scene.

Figeuroa later delivered the news to Ledesma’s family.

“The two chiefs of the department spent the whole day with them,” said Aguilar.

The majority of the fire department later attended the Ledesma home to pay their respects.

“We took two trucks to the house, and we all just walked in as a family,” said Aguilar.
“The family was grateful because they didn't feel alone” he said.

The department wasted no time in also helping the Ledesma family financially. On Sunday, July 10, the men held a “Fill The Boot” fundraiser at the firehouse, spending all day outside.

“We will never get Marcus ever again,” Aguilar said. “But (we can) take that finite financial struggle (away) that they were facing during this time. And we did.”

Surrounding fire departments, such as Brentwood Fire Department, Islip Terrace Fire Department, Wyandanch Fire Department, Central Islip Ambulance, and the two gyms Ledesma worked at Pro-Fit and frequented, Gold’s Gym, also held their own fundraiser.

Together, all events raised more than $15,000 for the Ledesma family.

“The community came out and with a little that they have, they decided to give out for somebody with highest honors,” said Aguilar.

Several East Brentwood firefighters spoke with Patch about how they will remember Ledesma.

Aguilar describes Ledesma as a person who you could have a meaningful conversation with, but also could also goof around.

“He'll just say things out of nowhere and it just makes you laugh,” he said.

Devauntaé Davidson, one of Ledesma’s closest friends, said that Marcos was a “man of abundance” whose positivity was contagious.

“I never had a bad day with him,” Davidson said. “Whenever I would feel down, he would come around and it just all goes away. You just forget what you were feeling earlier because of his was just his energy.”

Jeremiah Rampersad, who went to school with Ledesma and his younger brother, Gabriel. said that he looked up to him like his own older brother.

“He was always making sure I was okay and told me to keep my head up when I was down,” said Rampersad. “He also went through tough times, but you'll never know that because he always has a smile on his face.”

Other firefighters added that for Ledesma, the “gym was his life,” and made many friends by working out. At the time of his death, Ledesma was studying to become a personal trainer.

“Him and his brother were very close,” said Rampersad. “They were always at the gym together and motivated each other to do better. He (Ledesma) always told him how he's proud of him.”

Above all, Ledesma strived to help others as best as he could.

“He was always willing to help you out,” said Aguilar. “He'll do everything, whatever you need.”

In such a short amount of time of volunteering at the firehouse, said Wilbur Joya, Ledesma leaves a big gap, and reminds them that kindness goes a long way.

“He was one of a kind,” Joya said.