Services Set For Beloved Manhasset-Lakeville Firefighter

MANHASSET-LAKEVILLE, NY — The Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department and surrounding communities are mourning the loss of one of their own.

Erasmo Troia, a 25-year-old New York City police officer, EMT, former ICU nurse and Nassau County firefighter, died on Aug. 15.

Troia was a member of the Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Company #2 in Manhasset for eight years.

Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department Third Deputy Chief Sean Dolan worked alongside Troia, watching him grow and care for others over the years

"Erasmo was the type of member every Fire Chief dreams of," Dolan said. "His desire was to serve the Department and Community we protect. He was willing to do whatever was needed."

Dolan said the young man was outgoing and always had a smile on his face.

"Erasmo was an individual with an infectious personality," Dolan said. "When he was around, you couldn't be anything but happy."

The loss of Erasmo Troia has prompted an outpouring of love and kind words from those who knew him.

"He had an amazing ability to connect with people: our Department is made up of men and women, of different backgrounds and ages, and Erasmo always found a way to connect directly with each and every one."

One particular moment stood out to Dolan:

"Just last week we participated in a Car Show with some of our apparatus. Erasmo spent the day there interacting with the public. He was smiling ear to ear all day, showing and explaining the fire apparatus, our tools, and equipment."

On ambulance calls, Dolan said Troia's compassion and caring nature for people, especially those in distress, was always on display.

"On their worst day, Erasmo was the guy who would assure them everything would be alright with a warm smile and gentle touch, while simultaneously making things better with his knowledge and experience as a Firefighter and EMT," Dolan said.

He added that Troia's knowledge and experience made him a valuable member of the crew and helped him provide the highest level of care to community members in need.

"Erasmo was a fixture in our Fire Department," Dolan said. "He was someone we knew we could rely on and call for whatever we needed."

For Dolan, Troia was someone he and the entire department could count on.

"As a Chief, I have lost someone I would look for to help me ensure whatever job needed to get done got done," he said. "The Community has lost someone who deeply cared about it, and was willing to drop whatever he was doing to help them out when they called."

Dolan said Troia's impact extended far beyond his work at the fire department.

"Erasmo was a special person, and anyone who has met him would tell you that," Dolan said. "His outgoing and positive personality was a breath of fresh air in the daily grind of everyday life. The world truly was a better place because of a person like Erasmo."

Troia's services will be held Thursday from 2 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Fairchild Sons Funeral Chapel in Manhasset. A funeral service will be held Friday morning at St. Mary's Church.

In lieu of flowers, donations in his honor may be made to St. Jude Children's Hospital or to Manhasset-Lakeville Fire Department at mlfdco2fundraising@gmail.com, according to the funeral page.