A work of art – on his last day
ONE LOOK AT the melting snowman with the red scarf and broom was enough to break hearts and bring tears.
The wintry sculpture was the work of FDNY veteran Michael Davidson and his giddy kids Thursday before the devoted dad left their Long Island home for Engine Co. 69.
The respected firefighter returned home one day later in an FDNY ambulance, his body wrapped in an American flag after his death in a raging Harlem fire.
“He was busy playing with his kids right before he went to work,” recalled neighbor Joanne Caldon, 67, her eyes welling up with tears Friday.
“He was just down in the snow right in front of the house, having a good time. It’s really tragic.”
The deep sense of loss lingered along the rest of Davidson’s street in Floral Park, L.I., and around the Harlem firehouse where Davidson followed his father into the FDNY.
“Today is one of the saddest days in this community,” said local resident Michael Allen. “I turned on the TV, and saw his face, and I knew something severe had happened. I automatically started crying.”
Davidson helped Allen plant a tree and hang basketball nets in a local park, and gave off a constantly positive vibe.
“He had this warm, caressing, friendly, brotherly love,” recalled Allen.
He and wife Eileen were parents to three daughters — ages 7, 3 and 1 — along with a 6-year-old boy. The widow was described as “very distraught” by an FDNY source.
Eileen is a teacher and a breast cancer survivor who only recently returned to work, said family friend Patti Sowinski, 41.
“I can’t even — it’s just devastating,” said Sowinski. “I can’t imagine what she’s going through.”
Davidson hailed from a family of firefighters, including his dad, retired FDNY veteran Robert, and his brother Eric, who has 11 years on and is stationed in the Bronx.
Davidson, who joined the FDNY in May 2003, was cited on four occasions for bravery and life-saving actions, according to fire officials.
Last May, he was involved in the resuscitation of a 52-yearold woman who overdosed, by giving her anti-opioid drug Narcan, CPR and three shots with a defibrillator.
Two previous awards in 2003 and 2005 came for heroism shown at Harlem fires — including one where Davidson suffered burns on both hands as he led the way inside a burning building.
Although just 37, he had already logged 15 years with the FDNY.
“He was an excellent firefighter and an incredible young man,” said one FDNY retiree who knew Davidson’s dad. “He was well-respected and a great father.”
The FDNY Foundation announced a $25,000 donation to the Davidson family.
Peggy Healy, 82, wept after learning her young neighbor was gone.
The Davidsons moved to the slate gray home about two years ago to accommodate their growing family.
“They’re so sweet, they’re such sweet people,” said the teary Healy. “He was always walking his beautiful little children, always walking and taking care of them.”
Before making the snowman, Healy recalled, Davidson shoveled off her snow-covered sidewalk in a typical gesture of good will.
“I’m yelling, ‘Michael! Thank you!’ ” she recounted. “He said, ‘Oh, you’re very welcome!’ He was such a kind man. He was a nice, easy-going man — lovely, lovely man.
“I can’t comprehend this at all,” she added.