Former Brevard County Fire Rescue Captain Dies
By Space Coast Daily // February 1, 2012
Michael “Captain D” DeSantis
Michael “Captain D” DeSantis of Mims, Florida and formerly of Pembroke Pines, Florida was called home on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.
Mike was born January 15, 1960 in Rockville Centre (Long Island), New York. He was the son of Beverly DeSantis and the late Ralph DeSantis, retired from the Pembroke Pines Fire Department. His family relocated from New York to Pembroke Pines when Mike was still young and he found his love of service.
Mike followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Pembroke Pines Fire Department in 1980. Mike worked his way up the ranks from firefighter to Captain, with his final assignment as a Captain on Ladder 99.
Captain DeSantis served as an instructor at the Broward Fire Academy teaching both prospective fire recruits to become certified firefighters and existing firefighters to become skilled operators of ladder trucks (truckies). Mike retired from the Pembroke Pines Fire Department in 2004.
His love for the fire service and teaching firefighters led to a position with Brevard County Fire Rescue as a Captain Training Officer in December of 2004.
His love for the fire service and his knowledge and passion for teaching led him to continue his expertise in fire ground and truck operations. Mike’s responsibilities included leading the instruction of Brevard County Fire
Rescue’s new hire program and instruction of the department’s incumbent personnel in advanced ladder truck operations. He was also active in instructing all personnel in the skills required to survive catastrophic fire ground emergencies in the Department’s Fire Fighter Survival Course (B.E.A.S.T.) and sat on the committee for specifications for the new ladder trucks.
In April of 2009, Captain DeSantis was awarded the department’s Timothy J. Mills Award for Humanitarian Service in recognition of his dedication to the fire service.
Mike retired from Brevard County of Fire Rescue due to a medical condition in November of 2011. Through all of his trials and tribulations with his medical condition, Mike kept his wonderful sense of humor we all came to love.
Mike is survived by his loving wife, Debbie, of 30 years; his pride and joy, twin daughters Danielle (by one minute) and Gabrielle; mother, Beverly DeSantis; sister, Lynn (DeSantis) Landmesser, Gary Landmesser; and nephews, Michael Landmesser, Jonathan Landmesser, wife Brandy.
He was predeceased by his father, Ralph DeSantis.
Firefighting was his passion. Humor was his gift. Family was his life… WORD
Viewing will be on Wednesday, February 8, 2012 from 10:00 am to 12 noon followed by a Funeral Mass at noon at St. Teresa Catholic Church, 203 Ojibway Avenue Titusville. Interment will follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park in Titusville.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations be made to the National Fallen Firefighter Foundation.
Arrangements by East Coast Cremation, Rockledge, 321-632-1350. Share memories and sign family guest book at www.affuneral.com.
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