Gene Dockter Jr.
Eugene Dockter Jr. lovingly known as Gene, passed away on September 23, 2025 at the age of 86. A native and lifelong resident of Staten Island. Gene’s intelligence and creative sprit left an indelible mark on all who knew him.
Gene was born on January 8th, 1939 to Ruth and Eugene Dockter Sr. He was an only child. he was predeceased by Grandparents Alexandria & Agidio Monte, Helene & Chrstian Dockter, his parents Ruth & Eugene Dockter Sr., his children Laurie, Thomas and Kenneth, and his dog Sam. He is survived by his wife Edie.
Knowledge was always very important to him. After graduating from New Dorp High School and the College of Staten Island (1st graduating class) he worked as a Central Switching Station Design Associate with Western Electric Company 1959-1962. He also served in the Army National Guard 1956-1964. But, his lifelong dream was to become a NYC Firefighter. On December 8, 1962 his dream came true, he was appointed to the FDNY. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1968, Captain in 1972, Battalion Chief in 1976, Deputy Chief in 1980, Assistant Chief & Staten Island Borough Commander in 1990 and retired in 1997.
He was a member of the Uniformed Fire Officers Association – Division Delegate
FDNY Fire Chief Association – Borough Delegate
UFOA Retirees and Staten Island Retirees
HIS SPECIAL PROJECTS & SSIGNMENTS WERE:
Planning & Line Chief for liberty Weekend Bicentennial Celebration 1986
High Rise Planning Unit 1986-1990
A committee composed of both Fire Department & Fire Safety Directors for the development & refinement of High Rise fire procedures, equipment. training and building systems
High Rise Fire Ground Communications 1984-1990
Improvement of communications at fires in High Rise buildings
Developed & instructed a High Rise Fire Fighting Familiarization Course for Chief Officers
Tactical & Administrative Communication System 1986-1990
The introduction of computers in field units for tactical and administrative applications
Fire & Record Management System 1990-1997
Development of a computerized fire and administrative record management system for field units
Starfire II Dispatch System 1988-1997
A total redesign and modernization of the FDNY dispatch system
Starfire II Siting and Simulation Model 1990-1997
Development of a computer generated model to provide information and analytical tools to support decision making regarding deployment of FDNY firefighting units
Lecturer on High Rise Firefighting Strategy and Tactics – 1985-1988
Gene’s motto was “You don’t always have to do everything right, but you should always do the right thing”
In lieu of flowers and mass cards family request all donations go to the Batten Disease support and research Association.
As well as the FDNY family transport foundation.