STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Eugene “Gene” Dockter Jr., a lifelong Staten Islander who rose through the ranks of the New York City Fire Department to become Staten Island borough commander, died on Sept. 23 at age 86.
Born on Jan. 8, 1939, to Ruth and Eugene Dockter Sr., Gene grew up in Grant City, where he remained deeply rooted in the Staten Island community.
After graduating from New Dorp High School, he went on to attend Staten Island Community College in St. George — now known as the College of Staten Island, located in Willowbrook. He was a proud member of the school’s very first graduating class in 1958, an achievement that connected him to a defining moment in Staten Island’s educational history.
At the college, Gene studied electrical engineering, a field that blended his intelligence and creative spirit. That passion carried him into his early career with Western Electric, where he worked as a central switching station design associate from 1959 to 1962.
Service and dedication
While pursuing his studies and early career, Gene never wavered in his desire to serve. Though joining the New York City Fire Department was his lifelong dream, he first joined the Army National Guard, balancing six years of service with his education from 1956 to 1964.
“He just wanted to be a part of it,” said Edie Dockter, 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.”
On Dec. 8, 1962, Gene’s dream became a reality when he was appointed to the FDNY.
“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.”
Gene began his career in Manhattan, where he was assigned to 11 Truck and 28 Engine in the Lower East Side, before eventually returning to Staten Island in 1990.
He steadily rose through the ranks, earning the title of lieutenant in 1968, and after subsequent promotions, he became assistant chief and Staten Island borough commander in 1990, a position he held with pride before retiring in 1997.
“Every time he was promoted, he was thrilled,” said Edie. “No matter how many people took the test — 2,000 or 6,000 — he always came out in the top 10. On one of his captain’s tests, he scored number one.”
Career progression and innovations
Throughout his career, Gene consistently sought ways to improve firefighter safety and efficiency.
In 1986, he served as planning and line chief for the Liberty Weekend Bicentennial Celebration, coordinating citywide operations.
He played a key role in high-rise firefighting, helping develop procedures, training, equipment, and building systems from 1986 to 1990. He also improved communications during high-rise fires, and developed a specialized course for chief officers.
A forward-thinker, Gene helped with the introduction of computers to FDNY operations, modernizing communication, recordkeeping, and dispatch through various systems.
“He was very bright,” said Edie. “Anything to make the fire department better. He was there to help.”
Staten Island Firefighters Memorial
Guided by his personal motto — “You don’t always have to do everything right, but you should always do the right thing” — Gene approached every decision with integrity and a deep sense of responsibility. Those words, known to all who knew him, reflected the values that defined both his career and his life.
Edie shared that one of Gene’s proudest achievements was helping establish the Staten Island Firefighters Memorial at the intersection of Clove Road and Targee Street.
Dedicated in May 1993, the memorial honors all firefighters who lived or worked on Staten Island and gave their life in the line of duty. Gene collaborated with fellow retired firefighters to establish a lasting tribute to their fallen comrades, ensuring their service and sacrifice would never be forgotten.
The monument still stands today. Though it was badly damaged in a car crash in August 2023, it was fully refurbished and rededicated in May 2025.
“When he was Staten Island borough commander, he was so happy to get that monument done,” said Edie. “He always felt Staten Islanders should have their own monument. Other boroughs have monuments to the fallen firefighters of their boroughs, and he always wanted one here, and he pushed for that. He was so proud that they accomplished that.”
Life after retirement
After retiring in 1997, Gene stayed closely involved with the fire service. He was an active member of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association Retirees and Staten Island Retirees until his passing.
Additionally, he served as division delegate for the Uniformed Fire Officers Association and borough delegate for the FDNY Fire Chief Association, continuing to contribute to the department he loved.
“Anything to do with the fire department, he wanted to be a part of,” said Edie. “He loved the department and everything that was associated with it.”
For Gene, these organizations were a natural extension of his lifelong devotion to the FDNY and the connections he had built over decades of service.
Outside his career, Gene shared a devoted life with his wife, whom he met as a teenager. Together, they built a partnership that lasted 64 years, navigating both life’s joys and its deepest sorrows, including the loss of their three children—Laurie, Thomas, and Kenneth — to Batten disease, a rare inherited disorder that progressively affects the brain and nervous system.
Despite this profound loss, Gene and Edie treasured every moment together, sharing a love of travel that took them to Italy, Ireland, France, and countless other destinations, creating memories that celebrated life even amid hardship.
Known for his intelligence, creativity, and lifelong dedication to family and the FDNY, Gene leaves a lasting legacy of service, leadership, and integrity that will be remembered.