Past Fire Commissioner Ed Hehir Dies at 91

Lifelong Northport resident and community fixture Edward Hehir died Monday in East Northport at the age of 91.

Hehir was the devoted husband of Lucille Hehir, loving father of Laurie O’Neill Elizabeth Lauschus, cherished "Pop Pop" of Robert J. and Patrick Murphy and Amanda Lauschus, and dear brother of Mary Olivari, Joan Reid, Donald Hehir and the late John and Gerry Hehir. 

Hehir's childhood friend, Jim Mahoney, who delivered the eulogy Thursday at , remembered how much Hehir loved to sing songs like "Little Bit of Heaven."

"He was a wonderful man who cared about people and wanted to help people. He had an engaging personality that made everyone feel comfortable and an impressive voice. He never needed a microphone when he was at any kind of a gathering and he never hestitated to sing a song," said Mahoney. "In the nursing home, right after he turned 91, he sang a little song for the residents and his family and the guests that came in.”

After returning from Army service in World War II, Hehir joined the Town of Huntington Police Department and in 1960 became one of the first officers to serve in the Suffolk County Police Department, retiring as a Detective Sergeant. He was also a longtime volunteer firefighter with the and its past chaplain and commissioner.

In his spare moments, Hehir helped to found the St. Anthony of Padua Parish and was instrumental in bringing the PAL Little League to Northport. He was also a member of the American Legion Post 694.

Hehir was buried with military honors at the Commack Rural Cemetary Friday.