Photos by Richard Lewin Professional Photography (soniboy@aol.com)
This month I am more than saddened to have to report that 63-year active Montauk Fire Department Member Harold “Herbie” Herbert answered his last alarm on August 9, 2026. Herb, who was 89 years old, was still active and involved with the Montauk Fire Department right up to his last days.
Herb started his active fire department volunteer service in the North Sea Fire Department, in the town of Southampton, where he was raised. He left his active fireman service in North Sea to join the United States Army, where he served honorably in West Germany during the cold war period. He was also a proud American Patriot and was a member of the American Legion Post 419 for many years.
Upon returning from Germany and being honorably discharged from the United States Army, in 1963 Herb purchased the Montauk Market on Main Street, and renamed it Herb’s Market. 
Any local or long-term Montauk resident would know that Herb’s Market was the place to meet for coffee, breakfast, lunch and snacks. Who can forget the iconic “You can’t beat Herb’s meat” T-Shirts that flooded Montauk for many years?
In 1963 Herb joined the Montauk Fire Department and was assigned to Company No. 2. He rose through the ranks and served as Captain of Company No. 2, eventually transferring to Fire Police Company No. 6, where he served many years as Lieutenant and Treasurer. He also served on a broad variety of committees during his sixty plus years as a Member.
One of Herb’s favorite positions was as the Chairman of the Montauk Fire Department Scholarship Board. As Chairman since 1970, Herb was the steward for annual scholarships bestowed upon local Montauk youths attending college. Additionally, he was the Chairman of the Montauk Fire Department Benevolent Association, dedicated to insuring benefits for firefighters and EMT’s.
Herb was laid to rest at Fort Hill Cemetery on Saturday, August 15th. I was honored to lead the Officers and the men and women of the Montauk Fire Department in a final tribute to our fallen comrade. I extend the Department’s condolences to Herb’s Family and friends. He will be sorely missed.
~ Peter Joyce Jr., Chief, Montauk Fire Department
https://www.montaukfiredistrict.org/