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Crime & Safety

Dayton Way: A Street Honoring One of Port's Bravest

Haven Avenue renamed Captain Robert H. Dayton Way to honor a volunteer firefighter who gave his life in the line of duty.

On Nov. 26, 1988, one of Port Washington's bravest, Captain Robert H. Dayton battled a fire that injured 16, and ultimately took the 28-year-old volunteer firefighter's life. Now over 20 years ago, Haven Avenue was renamed in Captain Dayton's honor.

The newly christened Robert H. Dayton Way is located between Main Street and Franklin Avenue, where Flower Hill Hose Company No. 1 is headquartered. There, his brethren can reminisce about the sweet-natured man Dayton was, as well as the hero's sacrifice.

"This is very important to me and my family," said Dayton's younger brother, Jim. "This took over 20 years to get done and it's a testament to the fire department that they kept pursuing it and that Bobby still means something, even to firemen who never met him."

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Jim said Dayton always wanted to be a firefighter and that the fire department held a dinner on the 20th anniversary of his death in November 2008. "While there was no formal ceremony for the unveiling of the street sign, we had that big celebration of Bobby's life about a year ago," Jim said. "We had put the sign up then, but it didn't become permanent until now."

John Olszewski, president of the Flower Hill Hose Company, recollected the events of the day Dayton sacrificed his life to save others. "We tried to get Bobby out of there and unfortunately couldn't," said Olszewski, who also fought the blaze in November 1988. "Something like this will always impact you when you think about it."

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Port Washington's Fire Chief Tom McDonough didn't know Dayton as well, but said he is proud to honor such a great man. "I would like to thank the town board for their actions in adopting this resolution to rename the street," McDonough said. "It was long overdue."

Councilman Fred Pollack added, "This is the least we can do for somebody who sacrificed his life for our community."

Dayton, who attended Paul B. Schreiber High School and studied computers at Nassau Community College, joined the Port Washington department and Flower Hill Hose Company as a volunteer at age 18. He also served as part of Elmhurst, Queens' Engine Company 287 as one of the "Grand Avenue Gorillas."

According to Jim, his brother was the center of the Dayton family and was a sociable and active guy who would always take the time out to help anyone in need.

"Hopefully, people who see the sign and knew Bobby will think fondly of him," Jim said. "It's touching that Bobby meant as much to his firefighter family as he did to our own family."

For more information about Captain Robert "Bobby" Dayton, visit the Port Washington Fire Department's Web site.

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