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ANOTHER WAR YEARS VET PASSES.
- Thread starter 68jk09
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RET FF ROBERT MECCIA LAD*124..... REST IN PEACE BROTHER....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES..REST IN PEACE BROTHER....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.....With regret, the Department announces the death of retired Firefighter Robert Meccia appointed January 24, 1970, retired February 10, 1990, formerly of L-124, residing in Massapequa, NY, which occurred on December 1, 2019...... https://massapequafuneralhome.com/obituary/robert-a-meccia/
Earlier today one of the ultimate War Years Vets, Lt. Peter McGreevey, L120, passed away. The citizens of Brownsville were very fortunate to have had him protecting them for over 30 years either in Squad 4 on Bristol St. or in Ladder Co. 120 on his beloved Watkins Street. It was always an Honor to be in his presence. Nobody Did It Better. May He Rest In Peace
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If I'm not mistaken, his dad was a Firefighter in Ladder 109 from the 30's to the 50's. Rest In Peace gentlemen and God Bless.MT8410 said:
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REST IN PEACE BROTHER....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES..... I recd this email today.... QUOTE...Passing of Lt. Pete McGreevy
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Watkins Street LEGEND Lt. Pete McGreevy L120 has passed away. Lt. McGreevy was a FF in L122 where he became a seated chauffeur and his standard for excellence began. He was a humble expert at his craft of firefighting. While assigned to L122 and off duty he responded to the big Brooklyn ship fire which exploded without letting the brothers know, it was only when he was seen in civilian clothing carrying a wounded person from the wreckage in a WNYF photo that his brothers became aware of his heroism! He didn't look for any praise he simply shrugged it off as doing his job. After being promoted he quickly became one of the most trusted officers in the borough. Chiefs took his word as law, and his input would override anyone else at an operation. They breathed a sigh of relief when Lt. McGreevy showed up with L120, it was known if Lt.McGreevy and his men from 120 couldn't make the apartment than nobody could. The 15th Division commander once stated, "you just felt a lot better when you looked at the sheet and saw McGreevy was working". Firefighters working with him felt proud that he was their boss and even a bit anxious that they would elevate their level of performance in fear of letting him down. He never yelled and rarely raised his voice, but if you made a mistake he would pull you aside and simply talk and educate you. He lead by example, a humble legend. On occasion when the men called "chows on" he would quietly walk over to the house watch and tell the house watchman to "go eat with the brothers Ive got the watch". This was just another way this Watkins Street Hall of Famer gave back to his men, on top of the endless knowledge of firefighting he shared with them. The men knew his favorite meal was corned beef and cabbage so they made it often out of respect as a way to give back to the man that gives them so much. Assistant Chief/Chief of Safety Al Hay once stated, "Driving Pete McGreevy was the highlight of my career!" Despite battling a bad ankle through most of his career Lt. McGreevy strived for excellence for him and his men. He coined the phrase," If they ask us to shovel sh*t we'll be the BEST sh*t shovelers they've ever seen!" His was a standard to which all members of Watkins Street have been entrusted to carry on. As a daily reminder his group number "18" is painted on L120 apparatus doors. The memory and standards of Lt. McGreevy undoubtedly live on at Watkins Street as well as in its members! Please keep the McGreevy family in your thoughts and prayers.
No Wake
Funeral Thursday 2/6 10:45am St.James Church 429 NY-25a Setauket,NY 111733
Burial in cemetery adjoining church
--
"The Tradition Continues......UNQUOTE.
It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Watkins Street LEGEND Lt. Pete McGreevy L120 has passed away. Lt. McGreevy was a FF in L122 where he became a seated chauffeur and his standard for excellence began. He was a humble expert at his craft of firefighting. While assigned to L122 and off duty he responded to the big Brooklyn ship fire which exploded without letting the brothers know, it was only when he was seen in civilian clothing carrying a wounded person from the wreckage in a WNYF photo that his brothers became aware of his heroism! He didn't look for any praise he simply shrugged it off as doing his job. After being promoted he quickly became one of the most trusted officers in the borough. Chiefs took his word as law, and his input would override anyone else at an operation. They breathed a sigh of relief when Lt. McGreevy showed up with L120, it was known if Lt.McGreevy and his men from 120 couldn't make the apartment than nobody could. The 15th Division commander once stated, "you just felt a lot better when you looked at the sheet and saw McGreevy was working". Firefighters working with him felt proud that he was their boss and even a bit anxious that they would elevate their level of performance in fear of letting him down. He never yelled and rarely raised his voice, but if you made a mistake he would pull you aside and simply talk and educate you. He lead by example, a humble legend. On occasion when the men called "chows on" he would quietly walk over to the house watch and tell the house watchman to "go eat with the brothers Ive got the watch". This was just another way this Watkins Street Hall of Famer gave back to his men, on top of the endless knowledge of firefighting he shared with them. The men knew his favorite meal was corned beef and cabbage so they made it often out of respect as a way to give back to the man that gives them so much. Assistant Chief/Chief of Safety Al Hay once stated, "Driving Pete McGreevy was the highlight of my career!" Despite battling a bad ankle through most of his career Lt. McGreevy strived for excellence for him and his men. He coined the phrase," If they ask us to shovel sh*t we'll be the BEST sh*t shovelers they've ever seen!" His was a standard to which all members of Watkins Street have been entrusted to carry on. As a daily reminder his group number "18" is painted on L120 apparatus doors. The memory and standards of Lt. McGreevy undoubtedly live on at Watkins Street as well as in its members! Please keep the McGreevy family in your thoughts and prayers.
No Wake
Funeral Thursday 2/6 10:45am St.James Church 429 NY-25a Setauket,NY 111733
Burial in cemetery adjoining church
--
"The Tradition Continues......UNQUOTE.
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RET FF ROB SCHMITT LAD*27.... On 1-31-2020 ...RET 9-30-06 after 11 yrs OTJ.
Visitation: Denis O'Connor FH
91-05 Beach Channel Dr. Rockaway Beach NY
Tuesday 2/4/2020 3 - 8 PM
Funeral Mass: St. Francis de Sales RC Church
129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Belle Harbor NY 11694
Wednesday 2/5/2020 11:00 am
Visitation: Denis O'Connor FH
91-05 Beach Channel Dr. Rockaway Beach NY
Tuesday 2/4/2020 3 - 8 PM
Funeral Mass: St. Francis de Sales RC Church
129-16 Rockaway Beach Blvd
Belle Harbor NY 11694
Wednesday 2/5/2020 11:00 am
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RET FF CHESTER E. BODENSCHATZ ENG*164....On 1-29-2020 at 77 yrs of age...RET 8-13-87 after 21 yrs OTJ.....REST IN PEACE BROTHER...PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.... matthewfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/949/Chester-Bodenschatz/service-information.html#tribute-start
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RET FF DAVID H. DARKJY LAD*158... On 2-7-2020 .... RET 1-17-86 after 22 yrs OTJ
No Visitation
Funeral Mass OL of the Snows
Woodstock VT 2/15/2020 11:00am
Burial in the Spring Riverside Cemetery Woodstock VT.
REST IN PEACE BROTHER ....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.
No Visitation
Funeral Mass OL of the Snows
Woodstock VT 2/15/2020 11:00am
Burial in the Spring Riverside Cemetery Woodstock VT.
REST IN PEACE BROTHER ....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.
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RET FF JOSEPH T. HUGHES ENG*166....On 2-17-2020 at almost 84 years of age...RET 8-16-81 after 21 yrs OTJ....Joe was a US Army Veteran then a Parks Dept employee then NYC Sanitation then NYC Housing PD then appt to ENG*15 in 1962......REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (US ARMY) & FDNY...... www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/staten-island-ny/joseph-hughes-9043412
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RET FF JAMES P. ROONEY ENG*329.... On 2-19-2020 at 91 yrs of age...RET 7-23-90 after 35 yrs OTJ....REST IN PEACE BROTHER....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY & FDNY....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES... https://chapeyfamily.com/tribute/details/2800/James-Rooney/service-information.html#tribute-start
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RET CPT MANNY FERNANDEZ.....I recd this in an email tonight....REST IN PEACE BROTHER...PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES..... QUOTE... It is with a heavy heart I regretfully announce the death of retired FDNY Lieutenant Manuel ?Manny? Fernandez. Manny died in his sleep in California at the age of 89.
Prior to September 11th, the ?23rd Street Fire? which occurred on October 17, 1966 was the single worst loss of New York City Firefighters in the line of duty. The ground floor of the Wonder Drug Store at the corner of 23rd Street and Broadway collapsed during a five-alarm fire that originated in a storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinder-block wall illegally constructed by the building?s previous owner.
Only a small amount of smoke was wafting out of the drugstore when firefighters went inside. But around 10:40 p.m., as they walked to the back of the store, the floor collapsed with a huge noise, sending 10 firefighters to the burning cellar below. Two others were killed in a flashover of fire on the first floor.
The only survivor of Engine 18, now Squad 18, Manny Fernandez, then the driver for Engine 18, had stayed outside the building, following protocol. After the collapse, he tried crawling inside on his hands and knees but the heat and flames were too extreme.
Among them, the deceased Firefighters left 12 widows and 32 children. It took 14 hours to dig out our brothers out.
Lt. Manny Fernandez designed The FDNY Hispanic Society Medal of Valor in honor of the twelve Firefighters lost. The names of all 12 are included on the medal. This medal is presented every year on Medal Day to a NYC Firefighter for heroism above and beyond the call.
Lt. Manny Fernandez is also credited with putting together the very first ?Battle of the Badges Boxing Match? at Madison Square Garden. He was instrumental in the development of the FDNY Boxing Association.
Lt. Manny Fernandez was also a supporter, founding member and prior President of The FDNY Hispanic Society.
Manny is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Judy, Daughter Doreen and son Michael.
He was one of my first mentors and a good friend.
May you Rest in Peace my brother
UNQUOTE.
Prior to September 11th, the ?23rd Street Fire? which occurred on October 17, 1966 was the single worst loss of New York City Firefighters in the line of duty. The ground floor of the Wonder Drug Store at the corner of 23rd Street and Broadway collapsed during a five-alarm fire that originated in a storage area, which was concealed by a four-inch thick cinder-block wall illegally constructed by the building?s previous owner.
Only a small amount of smoke was wafting out of the drugstore when firefighters went inside. But around 10:40 p.m., as they walked to the back of the store, the floor collapsed with a huge noise, sending 10 firefighters to the burning cellar below. Two others were killed in a flashover of fire on the first floor.
The only survivor of Engine 18, now Squad 18, Manny Fernandez, then the driver for Engine 18, had stayed outside the building, following protocol. After the collapse, he tried crawling inside on his hands and knees but the heat and flames were too extreme.
Among them, the deceased Firefighters left 12 widows and 32 children. It took 14 hours to dig out our brothers out.
Lt. Manny Fernandez designed The FDNY Hispanic Society Medal of Valor in honor of the twelve Firefighters lost. The names of all 12 are included on the medal. This medal is presented every year on Medal Day to a NYC Firefighter for heroism above and beyond the call.
Lt. Manny Fernandez is also credited with putting together the very first ?Battle of the Badges Boxing Match? at Madison Square Garden. He was instrumental in the development of the FDNY Boxing Association.
Lt. Manny Fernandez was also a supporter, founding member and prior President of The FDNY Hispanic Society.
Manny is survived by his wife of over 60 years, Judy, Daughter Doreen and son Michael.
He was one of my first mentors and a good friend.
May you Rest in Peace my brother
UNQUOTE.
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Rest In Peace Sir as you rejoin your company. God Bless you and your family.
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RET FF STEVEN D. SOSA.... On Friday 2-28-2020 he spent 32 yrs OTJ in ENG*253...LAD*83...ENG*156......REST IN PEACE BROTHER....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES...... https://matthewfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/985/Steven-Sosa/service-information.html#tribute-start
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In regard to reply 1315 above ^^^^^ CPT Manny Fernandez....UPDATED ARRANGEMENTS.....
Viewing/Visitation: DATES CORRECTED FROM ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION
Farenga & Sons FH
38-08 Ditmars Blvd Astoria, Queens
Wednesday 3/11/2020 7 - 9 pm
Thursday 3/12/2020 2-5 & 7-9 pm
Funeral Mass: St. Francis of Assisi RC Church
21-17 45th Street Astoria, Queens
Friday 3/13/2020 11:15 am
Interment: Maple Grove Cemetery
127-15 Kew Gardens Rd Kew Gardens NY
He died on 3-2-2020 & RET 8-27-90 after 29 yrs OTJ.
Viewing/Visitation: DATES CORRECTED FROM ORIGINAL NOTIFICATION
Farenga & Sons FH
38-08 Ditmars Blvd Astoria, Queens
Wednesday 3/11/2020 7 - 9 pm
Thursday 3/12/2020 2-5 & 7-9 pm
Funeral Mass: St. Francis of Assisi RC Church
21-17 45th Street Astoria, Queens
Friday 3/13/2020 11:15 am
Interment: Maple Grove Cemetery
127-15 Kew Gardens Rd Kew Gardens NY
He died on 3-2-2020 & RET 8-27-90 after 29 yrs OTJ.