""He just wanted to be a part of it," said Edie, Gene's wife of 64 years. "He could have quit school and gone into the Army, but he wanted to get his degree first. So he joined the National Guard and stayed there for six years.""
""He just loved the fire department," said Edie. "He always wanted to be a fireman, from the time he was a kid. From day one, he loved it. That was his dream, and when it came true, he just kept getting promoted.""
Eugene "Gene" Dockter Jr. was born Jan. 8, 1939, and grew up in Grant City, Staten Island. He graduated from New Dorp High School and from Staten Island Community College's first class in 1958, where he studied electrical engineering. He worked for Western Electric as a central switching station design associate from 1959 to 1962. He served in the Army National Guard from 1956 to 1964 while completing his education. He was appointed to the FDNY on Dec. 8, 1962, began his career in Manhattan at 11 Truck and 28 Engine, and rose to Staten Island borough commander. He was married to Edie for 64 years and died Sept. 23 at age 86.
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