9/11 hero from Pearl River, who fought for accessibility, dies at 63 from ALS
News 12's Ben Nandy first met Capt. Kevin Haugh in August while covering Haugh's months-long struggle to secure permission to have a wheelchair ramp outside his condo in Pearl River.
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A 9/11 hero first responder, who News 12 came to know well during a recent series of stories on his quest to get a wheelchair ramp outside his home, has died.
"Just because I have ALS doesn't mean I'm dying of ALS," Kevin Haugh said in August 2025 during an interview in his living room. "I'm living with ALS."
Haugh was a New York City EMS captain for 30 years. He served his community in the FDNY-EMS Pipes and Drums and as a member of Pearl River Elks 2041, where a memorial was displayed out front for Haugh.
Haugh died Friday at age 63 after a five-year battle with ALS.
Toward the end of his life, as his mobility lessened, he simply wanted to spend as much time outside in the sun as possible.
News 12's Ben Nandy first met Capt. Haugh in August while covering Haugh's monthslong struggle to secure permission to have a wheelchair ramp outside his condo in Pearl River. He had not been outside in months.
Just after News 12's initial story, a group of volunteers from the Fight for Firefighters Foundation was cleared to build the ramp, which they finished in a few hours.
The community was eager to help Haugh, who helped protect his community in the hours and days following the 9/11 attacks.
"Everybody in this community called Archway Management and said these needs to happen," Haught said in the August interview, "so I'm very happy that News 12 covered this."
Haught was proud of his Irish heritage, his Irish jokes and being outside. Hhe was able to enjoy all three in his final months.
"Just to be able to get out and sit in the sun instead of seeing it from inside my apartment," he said just after the ramp was finished and his neighbors cheered, "Even though I have a great apartment. It's just not the same as being out in the sun."
Haugh's visitation is on Thursday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Wyman Fisher Funeral Home in Pearl River. It is expected to be well attended by first responders from around the region.
His funeral is on Friday morning at Saint Aedan Church, followed by his burial at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Hawthorne.
