Vincent G. Fowler, 45, was born on August 8, 1953, in Brooklyn, NY to Vincent J. and Dorothy Fowler. He had five  siblings, Karen, Gerard, Ellen, Andy and John. He attended St Clare’s grammar school in Rosedale, NY, and graduated from Christ the King High School in 1971 where he played soccer. He attended St Joseph’s Seminary in Princeton, NJ, and graduated from Farmingdale State College in 1975. He and his wife Mona had three daughters, Dina, Amy and Stephanie. He was very athletic and loved all sports. He loved to coach his daughters in softball.

Vincent left his lucrative air conditioning and refrigeration business to follow in his father’s footsteps and became a FDNY Firefighter in 1978. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1990 and again to Captain in 1996. Firefighting was a family profession and passion in the Fowler family. His father Vincent J., was a Battalion Chief and his brothers Andy and John are both retired from the FDNY. He was a proud member of the Emerald Society.

Captain Fowler died on June 4, 1999, from injuries sustained  while battling a fire the previous night in a residential structure and trying to get a probationary firefighter out of the building. He was cited for bravery twice during his career and awarded the Medal of Valor posthumously. Vincent Fowler was a hero for his  bravery as a firefighter, but also a hero as a son, brother, husband, dad, friend and neighbor. He taught his children by example, often displaying acts of kindness and compassion. He was an active member of his community and always willing to help out a neighbor. One of Captain Fowler’s favorite phrases was “We can do that!” and it is inscribed on the fire truck of Ladder 7 in Manhattan. And, as per his father, one of his favorite words was “effort”.

P.S. 108 in South Ozone Park, NY, was renamed the Captain Vincent G. Fowler School in May, 2000. Every year, the school holds a “Fowler Day” celebration. The students put on a performance and his family and many active and retired firefighters attend.