Isaias Destroyed Seaford Memorial Gazebo; Lawmakers Seek Rebuild

SEAFORD, NY — In the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias, Nassau County lawmakers hope to rebuild a gazebo in Seaford that was dedicated to a federal agent killed by friendly fire.

Legislators Steve Rhoads and Rose Walker on Thursday urged Nassau County Executive Laura Curran to allocate money from the county budget to restore the memorial gazebo, which was destroyed Aug. 4. Rhoads and Walker have submitted paperwork to secure the necessary funds, a Nassau County Legislature spokesman told Patch.

The gazebo in Washington Avenue Park was dedicated to John Capano a senior special agent with the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, who was killed in a 2011 friendly fire incident while trying to stop a robbery at a Merrick Road pharmacy.

The building and dedication of the gazebo was part of a 2014 Eagle Scout project by then-15-year-old Cory Levy, who wanted to create a memorial garden to honor Capano. Levy raised about $8,000 for the project, which was dedicated in April 2014, according to News 12.

"The Seaford community mourned at the loss of Special Agent Capano back in 2011," Rhoads said. "This memorial gazebo will stand again, sooner, rather than later. Legislator Walker and myself will secure the funding to make sure no one forgets John Capano’s sacrifice, and the great work by Eagle Scout Cory Levy will not be lost."

The Legislature hopes to have the gazebo rebuilt by the end of next spring.