On Sunday, Aug. 18, two plaque dedication ceremonies were held to honor the memory of Raymond Anthony Plakstis, Jr., ex-chief of the Great Neck Alert Fire Company. Plakstis passed away on Nov. 30, 2018, at the age of 57 due to 9/11 related cancer.
The first dedication ceremony took place at the Jonathan Ielpi Firefighters Park where Plakstis’s wife Donna Plakstis, and sons Tyler and Ryan Plakstis, installed Plakstis’s nameplate on the plaque. Ray joins his mother, Doris Groene, who was honored on this remembrance wall last December. Doris was a member of the Vigilant Fire Company’s ambulance service and passed away in 2017, also due to 9/11 related cancer.
After remarks from Alert Fire Chief James Neubert and Alert President Aloysius Hoey, Plakstis’s half-brother, Thomas McDonough, spoke about Plakstis’s unwavering commitment to the Great Neck community and Plakstis’s role as a 9/11 responder, which ultimately led to the sacrifice of his own life.
The second dedication ceremony took place at the Alert Fire Company headquarters, 555 Middle Neck Road. There, a second plaque dedicated to the memory of Great Neck Alert firefighters who have succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses was unveiled. Plakstis’s name is the first to appear on this plaque. One of the company’s rescue trucks was also dedicated to Plakstis’s memory. Both sides of truck #824 now bear Plakstis’s nickname, “JR” along with his Alert firefighter member number “131”.
Plakstis joined the Great Neck Alerts in April 1985. In 1991, he was elected to the position of second lieutenant and rose through the ranks, culminating in his election as chief of the Fire Department in 2002.
On Sept. 11, 2001, as first assistant chief, Plakstis responded to the World Trade Center and worked at ground zero for days after. He returned many times in the following months.
In 2011, he was elected to a second term as chief, serving another three years. In 2015, Plakstis was elected to the Great Neck Village Board and appointed deputy mayor later that same year. He served with distinction on the Village Board until health reasons forced him to resign.
In July of 2016, Platskis was diagnosed with cancer-related to his exposure at Ground Zero. With his wife and family by his side, he battled his illness bravely, finally succumbing after 28 months.
Plakstis was a third-generation owner of Doray Enterprises on Steamboat Road after his father and grandfather. His wife and sons continue to operate the business to this day.
Submitted by Sara Rietbroek
