In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations in David's memory to:
(Acknowledgement email can be sent to: kugelmanmj@gmail.com)

New York Firefighters Burn Center Foundation

or

FDNY Fire Family Transport Foundation

or

LaSalle Academy

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David J. Harney passed away peacefully on April 7, 2026 following a courageously fought battle with Prostate Cancer. He was 61. Dave, as he was known, was born in Brooklyn on December 10, 1964 to Oscar R. and Mary T. (Hennessy) Harney.

The youngest of five children, Dave grew up in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, spending fun-filled summers at the Officer's Club and Pool at the Fort Hamilton Military Base. Dave attended St. Anselm’s for grammar school before his education journey took him to the Lower East Side of Manhattan where he attended La Salle Academy. His affinity for La Salle remained with him throughout his life. He was an incredibly active alumnus and loved going back to the school to visit former teachers, attend basketball games, alumni days and career days. He maintained friendships with many teachers and administrators and was always willing lend a helping hand to advance the school. In honor of his 40th high school reunion, he organized his fellow 1982 alumni to donate a stained glass rendering of St. John the Baptiste de La Salle.

Dave graduated from St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York where he also spent a summer studying abroad in Galway, Ireland. He completed his masters degree at St. John's University.

Dave began his career in city government at the Mayor's Office of Operations, during the later years of the Koch Administration. He then moved onto New York City Council Finance and then the New York City Police Dept., He worked for a a short time in Nassau County. Dave's final agency was the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). It was at the FDNY he spent the next nearly 30 years of his career leading many important projects including location of space for additional Emergency Medical Stations around the 5 boroughs following the merger with NYC health and hospitals. He identified locations for new Fire Houses, often testifying at community board meetings on the importance of locations to help improve response times and therefore saving lives. Dave was instrumental in working with the Research and Development team at FDNY to develop the Personal Safety system for firefighters. This system of ropes could be deployed in situations where they were forced to find a way out of the burning building. The PSS system saved many firefighters that were caught in situations where their lives were in danger. Dave was also a crucial part of the team that built the 9/11 Memorial Wall outside Engine 10/ Ladder 10, commemorating the 343 FDNY members lost on that terrible day.

Dave spent his last years with FDNY at Fort Totten, a location he loved and gave him so much joy. Working alongside members of Training Unit and the Robotics Unit. He would often take a break to appreciate the view from his office window or head to the porch and take in the view while talking with his friends and colleagues and continuing to brainstorm ideas to make the department even better.

Dave is survived by his adoring wife, Maura J. Kugelman, his mother, Mary T. Harney of Ormond Beach, FL, his siblings, Robert, Kathleen (Larry) Milazzo, Irene (the late Jim) Scully and James (Christine). His nephews and nieces, Daniel (Hana), Lauren (Gabe Gordon), and Larry (Ezra) Milazzo and their families along with Christopher (Christi), Megan (Matthew Mirsky) and Matthew Scully and their families. In addition, he is survived by his cousin Patty (the late Ken) and her daughters Colleen (Artie Greenberg) and Emily (Charlotte Benischek) Mangan and their families.

Dave was a lifelong and passionate Yankees fan, holding a season ticket package with friends for over 35 years. He was well known at the stadium by the many vendors. You could often hear him shouting at the umpires over whether a strike was accurately called. He enjoyed the NY Rangers, Giants and Jets. The Jets only because he loved to have his heart broken.

Dave loved good food, good music and most of all, getting family and friends together. Everyone was always welcome to join in. Dave had a way of making everyone feel loved and important. He also loved to as he said, spread sunshine, bringing coffee and treats to co-workers and friends.

In lieu of flowers, he requested donations to the FDNY Fire Family Transport Unit as they were beyond supportive in helping he and Maura get to and from doctor appointments and treatments at Columbia. In addition, the New York Burn Center and LaSalle Academy.

Dave would also want people to remember him by doing good deeds for others, smiling and finding a way to give joy. He always said you got farther in life with a smile and a chocolate chip cookie.

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Visitation
Saturday, April 11, 2026
6 PM - 8 PM
 - and - 
Sunday, April 12, 2026
2 PM - 4 PM & 7 PM - 9 PM

Andrew Torregrossa & Sons, Inc.
1305 79th Street
Brooklyn, NY 11228

Funeral Mass
Monday, April 13, 2026
10 AM

Saint Anselm R.C. Church
356 82nd Street
Brooklyn, NY 11209

Cemetery
Saint Charles Cemetery
2015 Wellwood Avenue
Farmingdale, NY 11735