Wantagh’s Michael Lenniger

Michael Leninger, a 42-year member of the Wantagh Fire Department died on February 27, 2023. He was 64-years old.

Mike joined the Wantagh Fire Department on March 3, 1977, and was given badge 1168, and assigned to Engine 1. After high school Mike, attended and graduated from St. John’s University and started a long career on Wall Street. Mike left the department for a few years in 1984 when he moved out of the fire district after marrying his childhood sweetheart, Susan (Dugan.) Due to his desire to remain connected to the Wantagh Fire Department, Mike remained active on the department’s softball team until he and Susan returned to Wantagh in 1987, when he rejoined the department.

Mike attended many classes throughout his career and was a qualified Chauffer on Engine 1 and Rescues 1, 3 and 5. In 1994 he was elected Lieutenant, serving for one year before being elected Captain in 1995, where he remained for three years. He was very active in Company 1 and the Exempt Association, serving as President of both, in addition to many other administrative positions. At the time of his passing, he was serving as Treasurer of the Exempts and he almost single-handedly coordinated many functions for both the Exempt Association and Company 1. His business sense, dedication and integrity resulted in his being chosen to

be a Department Trustee.

Michael was also proud of his over fourdecade career on Wall Street as a specialist and market maker on the floors of the NYSE/Amex exchanges. He was so well liked and respected that a moment of silence was observed on the trading floor after his passing.

Mike was the son of Jeanne and the late John (Jack) and Jeanne Leninger and a loving brother to Tommy and Cathyann. He was a devoted husband to his wife Susan for nearly 40 years. Together they raised two daughters, Kathleen (Gassner) and Maureen (Crames), and welcomed two devoted sons-in-law, Matthew and Jordan. He was a loving ‘Poppy’to Logan, Jaxson, and Amelia. In addition, he was a loving brother-in-law to Jimmy, Kathy, Joe, Nancy, Patricia, Ken, Lorraine, and John and a cherished uncle and mentor to his many nieces and nephews.

Departmental memorial services were held on March 2nd at Charles J. O’Shea Funeral Home and Mike was remembered as someone who was a man of faith, committed to his family, friends and the Wantagh Fire Department, and a true gentleman, who always sought out the good in others. He will be missed by his family and those who knew him.