Michael Reardon
Michael Reardon of Southampton, a 35-year member of the North Sea Fire Department and owner of Reardon Electric, died at his home in Palm Bay, Florida, on Thursday, December 29. He was 64.
Born January 11, 1947, in Brooklyn but raised in North Sea, he proudly served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, and owned and operated Reardon Electric since 1976. According to his wife, Karen Reardon, he built the company from “a roll of wire in the back of his truck to the bucket truck.” At one point he managed seven employees.
Mr. Reardon joined the North Sea Fire Department because he wanted to help people.
“He’d do anything for anybody, not looking for anything in return,” Ms. Reardon said. “He was proud of being a veteran and proud of being a volunteer fireman.”
One of Mr. Reardon’s pleasures in life was to work in his backyard, “his realm,” Ms. Reardon said. He loved sitting on his deck and watching everybody have a good time.
When Ms. Reardon was president of the fire department’s ladies auxiliary, the couple hosted annual barbecues. Once while Ms. Reardon was working for Suffolk County, they held a fundraiser for former County Clerk Ed Romaine.
Mr. Reardon met Karen Schnaderbeck Reardon of Southampton when they were teenagers and he was “a part of the family ever since,” Ms. Reardon said. They were married in October 1979.
In addition to his wife of 33 years, he is survived by his son, Lou and his wife Karen of Florida; grandchildren, Shauna, Victoria and Austin Reardon; and a sister-in-law, Beverly Larm of Florida.
A memorial has been planned for this summer in the Reardons’ backyard in Southampton.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the North Sea Fire Department Scholarship Fund, 149 Noyac Road, Southampton, NY 11968, would be appreciated by the family.
on Jan 3, 2012