FDNY Family Assistance Unit

Be sure to join us at 4pm as we honor the lives of members lost to this great department this past year! Mayor Bill de Blasio and FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro will honor 23 FDNY members who have died in the past year at the 113th annual FDNY Memorial Day Service today, Wednesday, October 7th at 4 pm EST. Traditionally, the event takes place at the Firemen’s Memorial on Riverside Drive in Manhattan, and is attended by thousands of active and retired FDNY members, and the ...families of the members who have died. Due to COVID-19, today’s ceremony will be virtual, and can be viewed live, here, on Facebook. Those who will be honored at this year’s ceremony are: Battalion Chief John Nykiel; Firefighter Matthew McDevitt; EMT Alexander Raso; EMT Richard Seaberry;* EMT Gregory Hodge;* EMT John Redd;* EMT Idris Bey;* EMT John Mondello; EMT Robert Tier; EMT Douglas Gertz; Lieutenant Matthew Keene; EMT Michael Lalima; Firefighter Christian Murphy; EMT Brandon Dorsa; Firefighter Jason McNamee;* Auto Mechanic James Villecco;* Deputy Chief Fire Inspector Syed Rahman;* Principal Administrative Associate Kellie Childs;* Fire Inspector Edward Mungin* Supervising Auto Mechanic Thomas Ward;* Clerical Associate Kenneth Stubbs;* Supervising Fire Inspector Mark Remolino;* and EMT Paul Cary* of Ambulnz Company, Aurora Fire Department, CO, who died of COVID-19 while deployed to New York City. *Died of COVID-19

It is with deep regret that the department announces the passing of EMT Rene Sanchez, Bureau of Investigations and Trials who lost his battle with WTC illness on Wednesday September 16, 2020. EMT Sanchez served our great department for 15 years. The following arrangements have been confirmed is as follows: Viewing:... Sunday, September 20, 2020 4pm to 7pm R Stutzmann & Son Funeral Home 224-39 Jamaica Ave Queens, NY 11428 Mass of Christian Burial: Monday, September 21, 2020 9:45am Our Lady of Lourdes 9296 220 Street Queens Village, NY 11428 Internment: St Raymond’s Cemetery May he rest in eternal peace! #NEVERFORGET #SayTheirNames #200andcounting #gonebutnotforgetten

The Tribute in Light shines for all innocent lives taken on September 11, 2001 #NeverForget

Thank you New York Mets for paying tribute to FDNY members and all those who made the Supreme Sacrifice 19 years ago today. #NeverForget

THE NIGHT BEFORE: It was 19 years ago just after midnight on September 11, 2001. At the end of our late evening broadcast that night, our cameras streamed a liv...e look at the World Trade Center, as Meteorologist Sam Champion forecasted the next day to be sunny and pleasant. #NeverForget https://abc7ny.com/5530024/ See more

Yesterday the FDNY honored 27 members who died of illnesses related to their work in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center. Their names were added to the FDNY World Trade Center Memorial Wall in a closed ceremony at FDNY Headquarters. Our Department made a solemn promise to never forget the bravery and sacrifice of the 343 members who gave their lives on September 11th, and the growing list of heroes who have died due to illnesses related to their courage...ous work throughout the rescue and recovery effort, said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. Though we are unable to join in person this year to remember these 27 extraordinary individuals, we still pause to honor that promise by ensuring their memory lives on with their inclusion on our World Trade Center memorial wall. To date more than 226 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. This year, due to the growing number of those who have died, and to ensure room to properly honor and remember their memories moving forward, the wall was expanded for the first time since its construction in 2011. Those names added this year to the memorial wall are: Firefighter Owen T. Carlock, Ladder 122 Firefighter Robert M. Gless, Engine 329 Firefighter John B. O’Brien, Engine 329 Firefighter James J. Hurson, Engine 318 Captain Robert E. Collis, Engine 304 Firefighter Joseph Walsh, Ladder 32 Auto Mechanic James J. Sottile, Shops Firefighter Joseph R. Losinno, Engine 302 Firefighter Robert B. Fitzgibbon, Engine 47 Firefighter Walter E. McKee, Battalion 39 Firefighter John W. Boyle, Rescue 1 Firefighter Roger Espinal, Engine 320 Firefighter Richard J. Tanagretta, Rescue 5 Firefighter Andrew S. Gargiulo, Engine 160 Lieutenant Richard G. Estreicher, Engine 248 Firefighter Clifford R. DiMuro, Ladder 137 Captain Dennis M. Gilhooly, Engine 67 Firefighter Brian W. Casse, Engine 294 Firefighter Michael L. Feldman, Ladder 161 Firefighter Richard B. Jones, Ladder 25 Lieutenant Paul W. Deo, Jr., Engine 317 Firefighter Joseph A. Hatzelman, Engine 218 Firefighter Daniel R. Foley, Rescue 3 Battalion Chief Dennis J. Moynihan, Battalion 18 Firefighter John H. Marr, Engine 34 Lieutenant Kevin C. Dunn, Engine 251 Firefighter Paul J. Greco, Squad 270 The inscription on the Memorial Wall, which was unveiled in September of 2011, reads: Dedicated to the memory of those who bravely served this department protecting life and property in the City of New York in the rescue and recovery effort at Manhattan Box 5-5-8087 World Trade Center

Danny was an integral part of Rescue 3. After seeing his brother working here he always wanted to be a part of our house. The way he conducted himself during t...he rescue and recovery operations at Ground Zero was a true testament to his work ethic and his true character. After he found his brother, he could have stopped, but he continued to work to help recover more of our members. He was very close with his brother and always looked up to him. The way Danny lived and conducted himself proved time and time again that his strong work ethic and dedicated service were a part of his character, on and off duty. He was a great Firefighter, he was saving lives up until his very last day on the job. People are alive today because of direct actions taken by him. Danny was the epitome of a good person, says FDNY Lieutenant Mickey Conboy, Rescue 3, remembering FDNY Firefighter Daniel R. Foley, whose name is one of 27 that will be added today to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall at FDNY headquarters, which honors those who have died of illness related to their work in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts. Firefighter Foley’s wife, Carrie, says, Danny was one of a kind. When he set a goal, he was passionate, dedicated, and never gave up. His goal and dream as a child were to be a Firefighter with the FDNY. That came true in February of 1999 and he was able to work with his brother, Tommy. They were also able to play football together on the FDNY team. September 11th took his brother, so many friends, colleagues, and eventually his own life. Danny would have never changed what he did on 9/11, looking for Tommy and other Firefighters for weeks. We all miss his smile, his over the top attitude, his demand for excellence, and his overall presence in our lives. To date, more than 226 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. Join us here on Facebook for the virtual ceremony at 4 pm EST today, Wednesday, September 9th. #NeverForget

FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro today announced that the James Gordon Bennett Medal which was established in 1869 and was for many years the sole award for ...valor in the FDNY will be permanently renamed the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Medal. Chief Ganci was the highest ranking FDNY member killed on September 11, 2001. In his 33-year career, he held every uniformed rank and received numerous citations for bravery, including a medal for rescuing a child from a fire. Commissioner Nigro says, This change is not meant to erase history, and it does not discredit the actions, memory, or valor of the 152 members of our Department who have been awarded this medal since its inception. Instead, this important change is meant to help us create a better present and future for our FDNY, one we can all be proud of. The James Gordon Bennett Medal was endowed by its namesake to honor Firefighters who saved his home. However, Bennett also held deeply racist beliefs and used his newspaper to repeatedly express hateful views in full support of slavery. These views have no place in any society, and I believe we must cease including this individual’s name, and therefore his legacy, in our annual celebration. Our highest honor for bravery to a Firefighter or Fire Officer should be named for an individual who swore an oath to serve others and who once crawled down a hallway like all our Firefighters have done to search for New Yorkers trapped by fire. It should be named for a legendary Chief who is still revered by all of us so many years after his death. This award for bravery should not be tied to someone who never served the FDNY, risked his life to save others, and who advocated for hate and slavery. That award should be named for the Chief who was leading our troops on our darkest day, a great man who gave his life overseeing the greatest rescue operation in FDNY history. Traditionally held the first Wednesday in June, this year’s FDNY Medal Day ceremony was postponed due to COVID-19. A socially-distanced ceremony will take place later this year, when the Chief of Department Peter J. Ganci, Jr. Medal will be awarded for the first time.

"September 11, 2001 had a big effect on my father. At the time, I was working on Wall Street and I remember looking for him to see if he had responded. His hous...e wasn't called to respond that day, but he did take part in the recovery effort. He was able to describe everything and I know it took a toll on him. My father certainly enjoyed being a Firefighter. He was also a local volunteer Firefighter where we lived. Before that, he was a New York State Trooper and was also a member of the Air National Guard. He retired as a Master Sergeant after 22 years of service. This spoke to his character, he was one of those brave people. After 9/11, I decided to join the military. I was in the US Army for nine years, went to law school, and then joined the US Air Force as a lawyer. My father was proud when I joined the military and knew that it was the right choice for me. We were both dedicated to helping others and I learned it all from him. One of the moments I will always remember is my father's funeral. FDNY, New York State Troopers, his local Fire Department, and the Air National Guard were all present. It was a sight to see. It is something I will always take with me," says United States Air Force Captain Luke Gilhooly, son of FDNY Captain Dennis Gilhooly, whose name is one of 27 that will be added tomorrow to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall at FDNY headquarters, which honors those who have died of illness related to their work in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts. To date, more than 226 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. Join us here on Facebook for the virtual ceremony at 4 pm EST tomorrow, September 9th. #NeverForget

I met my husband at Newtown High School. I knew even then that he was a hard worker because he started helping his dad at his gas station at the young age of e...ight. This is where Jimmy learned to repair any car or truck. After passing the mechanic test, he went to work for the FDNY. He worked for 32 years as a mechanic repairing trucks, cars, and ambulances in the main shop in Long Island City. He also worked on the emergency crew. When the first plane hit on 9/11, all of the mechanics ran outside to see what was going on. Then, the second plane hit the other tower. None of the mechanics could believe their eyes. When this happened, Jimmy and other mechanics started rebuilding the fleet. They worked day and night to get the fleet back in service. While raising our family, if anyone needed help or had a problem, Jimmy was always there. They just had to call him. We raised four loving children, and he helped our daughter raise her three young children when her husband passed away. His grandchildren always loved and looked up to him. Our son became a volunteer Firefighter and EMT in Oregon because of Jimmy's love for the Fire Department. It is such an honor for his name to be added to the FDNY WTC Memorial Wall honoring the brave, fearless, and selfless heroes, says Barbara Sottile, wife of FDNY Auto Mechanic James J. Sottile, whose name is one of 27 that will be added tomorrow to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall at FDNY headquarters, which honors those who have died of illness related to their work in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts. To date, more than 226 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. Join us here on Facebook for the virtual ceremony at 4 pm EST tomorrow, September 9th. #NeverForget

Dennis joined the FDNY in 1965 and retired 38 years later in 2003, as Battalion Chief of Battalion 18. Dennis always wanted to be a Firefighter and he enjoyed ...working with his fellow Firefighters. After working and studying very hard, Dennis achieved his goal of becoming Chief, and was going to retire the year of 9/11, but stayed on due to the loss of manpower. He felt they needed all the knowledge he acquired through his years on the job. Dennis said the FDNY always worked as a unit, concerned about their members, but moreover, the safety of the city and the people who resided in it. He always said, what makes a Firefighter unique, is they went into danger when people were fleeing and helped people without thinking of themselves. He spoke of the FDNY as a family and they certainly treated him as a brother throughout his life, and specifically during his illness. They were there whenever we needed them and his last thoughts were of his family and the FDNY. If he was still alive he would say, keep safe and God bless, says Patricia Moynihan, wife of FDNY Battalion Chief Dennis J. Moynihan, whose name is one of 27 that will be added today to the World Trade Center Memorial Wall at FDNY headquarters, which honors those who have died of illness related to their work in the World Trade Center rescue and recovery efforts. To date, more than 226 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. Join us here on Facebook for the virtual ceremony at 4 pm EST today, Wednesday, September 9th. #NeverForget