Remembering Marty Ingram

By Katie McFadden

Marty Ingram, the former Chief of the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, died unexpectedly on Saturday, June 8. He was 73.

Born August 23, 1950, in Jamaica, NY, to David and Catherine Ingram, Martin Ingram spent his early childhood growing up in Jackson Heights with his brothers David, John, and Thomas, and his sister, Helena. When he was four years old, the family moved to Breezy Point, where Marty would spend most of the rest of his life. At the young age of 16, he joined the Point Breeze Volunteer Fire Department, and at age 60, he became its chief, leading the firehouse through one of its most difficult times—Hurricane Sandy, as floodwaters rushed through the peninsula and 135 homes burned. In 2022, just ahead of the 10th anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, Ingram published a book, “Flood, Fire and a Superstorm,” about that fateful night and how his life experience helped him get through it.

Besides being a volunteer firefighter, Ingram had an extensive, impressive resume that mainly revolved around saving lives. At around 15, he became a lifeguard for the Rockaway Point Association before going on to lifeguard at Riis Park, until he joined the U.S. Air Force in 1971, beginning a long aviation career. For much of his Air Force career, he was a helicopter rescue pilot.  When he left active duty, he spent two years working as a U.S. Park Police Officer in Washington D.C. and then in Floyd Bennett Field, but his passion was in the skies. In 1977, he became an Air Traffic Control (ATC) Specialist, and later became an Aviation Safety Inspector in 1984. This was in addition to continuing to serve with the Air National Guard and the Air Force Reserve, and later the 88th Brigade of the New York Guard. He won several awards throughout his military and work career.

But one of Ingram’s biggest joys was his family. Ingram married his wife, Nancy, in 1972 and they went on to have four children, Brendan Ingram, Erin Adams, Martin Ingram Jr. and Christopher Ingram. He also has six grandchildren that he adored, Michael, Thomas, Luke, and Catherine Adams, and Beatrix and Lacie Ingram.

Ingram was also very proud to live in Breezy Point and was always active in his community, from the PBVFD to serving on the Board of Directors for the Breezy Point Coop to serving as Commander of Breezy Point’s American Legion Post (#1847), among other roles.

Marty Ingram will truly be missed by his friends, family and the Breezy Point community. A wake will be held from 2 to 5 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. at Denis S. O’Connor Funeral Home (91-05 Beach Channel Drive) on Friday, June 14. A funeral Mass will be held Saturday, June 15 at St. Thomas More 204-24 Rockaway Point Blvd. in Breezy Point. A Military Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: Point Breeze VFD Building Fund: 1 Fireman’s Plaza, Breezy Point NY 11697