Village Dedicates Street Sign to Veteran Firefighter

On a snowy Saturday morning, the Village unveiled “Chief Vincent E. Cashman Way” during a fitting ceremony at the entrance to Fire Headquarters on Stewart Avenue in honor of the ex-chief who first joined the Garden City Fire Department’s ranks in 1958.

Assigned to Truck Company, Chief Cashman served as a Chief’s aide, Company lieutenant and captain and soon after was elected Third, Second and First Assistant Chief between 1968-1970. A year later, he began serving as Chief of the Department. In addition to his time in Garden City, he also represented the County by serving on the First Battalion District Board and the Nassau County Fire Commission.

Garden City Ex-Chief John Casey was instrumental in making this dedication a reality. “Thirty-nine years ago I was very fortunate to join this Fire Department and he took me under his wing. I’m the luckiest guy standing here because of that,” he said. “This is not a memorial but a celebration of his life and I can’t think of a better way to do it than with a dedication like this, which will last forever.”

Ex-Chief Casey thanked Village Administrator Ralph Suozzi and former Fire Captain and current Village Trustee Mark Hyer for their efforts. “Without these two gentlemen this would have never happened. I passed the ball off to these guys and they did all the work. On behalf of the family and everyone else, thank you very much,” he said.

Although he only met Chief Cashman a few times and did not know him personally, Fire Commissioner and Village Trustee Robert Bolebruch said it was easy to see the kind of man he was. “Chief Cashman, at all times, showed grace and respect for every person he met and embodied all the best qualities of a leader. It was easy to see why he always commanded the respect and love of his fellow firefighters,” he said. “Chief Cashman was a credit to his Department, this Village and his family. He will be truly missed.”

Mayor Brian Daughney, who did know him personally, added, “He was so proud of Garden City and so proud of his family. Vincent, we thank you as a community and we thank his family for sharing him with us.”

Chief Cashman’s grandson, Brendan, unveiled the sign. Firetruck horns rang with pride and a lone bagpiper played Amazing Grace. Vincent Cashman, Jr. who attended the ceremony with family, some who came as far as Florida and Syracuse, said the dedication was a great honor. “For him to be remembered like this forever is terrific. He loved the Fire Department,” he said.