Beloved Smithtown Fire Department Chaplain Dies

SMITHTOWN, NY — Father Daniel Bitsko, a chaplain and 50-year member of the Smithtown Fire Department, has died, its chief's office announced on Wednesday.

"Father Dan," the longtime pastor of the Byzantine Catholic Church of the Resurrection in Smithtown, was appointed to the Smithtown FD in April 1969 and quickly became an integral part of its family.

"Throughout the years, he mentored, counseled, comforted, educated, laughed and prayed with us all," the department wrote on its Facebook page. "His loss cannot be measured and will leave a void in our all our hearts, but we know he is at peace."

Arrangements are pending, and the department said it would post continuous updates as they become available. It urges residents to keep Bitsko and his family in their thoughts and prayers.