Ed Tacchi, Former Marine and Honorary Fire Chief, Dies

Edward Tacchi passed away with family by his side Thursday in the Fenimore Road home he was born in.

A former Marine and 40-year member of the Garden City Fire Department, Mr. Tacchi was also active with the Western Property Owners' Association.

WPOA members said they were saddened by his passing but encouraged by celebrating the life of such a "powerful, giving man."

“Ed will be sorely missed,” WPOA president Tom Whalen said. “Ed was our historian for so many years. He was able to recall and produce documents or resources for happenings in this village and the surrounding area for many years past and present.”

The WPOA recently presented a citation to Mr. Tacchi to honor his longtime dedication and service to the community. Mr. Tacchi requested in November to retire from active service on the association's board of directors.

Mr. Tacchi also served the village as a firefighter, joining the department in 1972. He was designated an honorary fire chief in March.

Said Chief Charles Cavarra; “Ed has provided more than 44 years of dedicated service to the village. He has been actively involved in many of our day to day activities as well as responding to thousands of alarms over the years. He exemplifies true volunteerism in one of the highest forms of community service."

Always willing to lend a helping hand, Garden City Bird Sanctuary founder Rob Alvey, Mr. Tacchi's longtime neighbor, said he often helped out at the nine-acre preserve.

"He was not reluctant to help out at the Garden City Bird Sanctuary and used his chainsaw several years ago to help clear areas at the basin for walking trails," Alvey recalled.

Mr. Tacchi proudly flew a Marine Corps flag at his home and took part in the 2009 display on Garden City's military history featured at the Garden City Library, providing a photo of himself during the Korean War.

"Ed was much more involved than just as a Marine," Alvey told Patch. "His job was to go behind enemy lines each night to see if there were North Koreans or Chinese ready to attack. The experiences of his unit were covered in a book ... and many of his fellow Marines didn't survive that assignment."

Tom Pinou, another friend and neighbor, added, "Ed was a selfless individual who always volunteered his time to his community and to anyone around him. I feel privileged to have known him for many years.

"We spent some time together as neighbors do and shared some similar interests as well. For those that knew him, he was somewhat of a historian and had much of Garden City’s history engraved in his memory. It was that type of information I truly enjoy listening to. A part of Garden City will not be the same without him. He will truly be missed. Heaven has gained Ed, a very kind soul."

Mr. Tacchi will be reposing at R Stutzman & Son Funeral Home, 2000 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park Saturday, Jan. 12 from 7–9 p.m. and Sunday, Jan. 13,  between 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

According to the Garden City Fire Department's Facebook page, fire department and U.S. Marine Corps services will be held Sunday evening.