Senate Resolution No. 1762

BY: Senator MARTINS

HONORING Ex-Chief Thomas Rahilly, Jr., upon the
occasion of his designation for special recognition
after 25 years of dedicated service

WHEREAS, Citizens across our State and Nation are inspired by and
indebted to our noble volunteer firefighters who exhibit courage and
bravery every day in the course of their duties; and

WHEREAS, Volunteer firefighters exemplify the power of human
compassion and the strength of the American spirit through actions of
the most heroic magnitude; their sacrifices and selfless dedication
merit tribute and recognition by all citizens of this great country; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to honor Ex-Chief
Thomas Rahilly, Jr., upon the occasion of his designation for special
recognition after 25 years of dedicated service to the Oyster Bay Fire
Department, to be recognized at its 138th Annual Installation Dinner on
Friday, May 8, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Rahilly, Jr., of Oyster Bay, New York, has been in
the fire service and a member of Oyster Bay Fire Dept for more than 25
years; he and his wife, Crystal, live with their sons in the Oyster Bay
community; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Rahilly, Jr., also briefly lived and served in the
community of Port Washington before returning to his roots in Oyster
Bay; and

WHEREAS, Quite knowledgeable in his medical experience, Thomas
Rahilly, Jr., is also a paramedic; he is approachable and pragmatic when
it comes to fire and EMS operations; and

WHEREAS, Within the Department, Thomas Rahilly, Jr., has held
various officer positions, concluding his first term as Chief; he has
perpetuated the family tradition by emulating his father who also served
the Department as Chief; and

WHEREAS, Thomas Rahilly, Jr., has consistently demonstrated a level
of commitment, dedication, integrity, and professionalism which truly
exemplifies excellence in the volunteer service; and

WHEREAS, Firefighters unwaveringly serve our great State with pride,
valor, and integrity; these respected volunteers are often the first to
respond to an emergency, whether the emergency is a fire, transportation
accident, natural disaster, act of terrorism, medical crisis, or spill
of hazardous materials; and

WHEREAS, It takes a special dedication, a strong desire to help
others, and a tireless sense of community to forsake precious time with
family and friends to respond to the signal that a neighbor is in need;
Thomas Rahilly, Jr., is such a firefighter; throughout his years of
devoted service, this volunteer heroically performed, above and beyond

the call of duty, those responsibilities which define the task of fire
protection; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Ex-Chief Thomas Rahilly, Jr., upon the occasion of his designation
for special recognition after 25 years of dedicated service to the
Oyster Bay Fire Department; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Ex-Chief Thomas Rahilly, Jr.