ANOTHER WAR YEARS VET PASSES.

Just heard today at FDNY Orange County Retired Firefighters meeting that Deputy Chief James "Jimmy" Murtagh, who at one time was the Chief of Training for the FDNY. died about a week ago, in the state of Florida. Jimmy was a firefighter in L-17-2 and rose rapidly in the ranks of FDNY in just a few years to FDNY Assistant Chief/Chief of Training. A college professor and head of the Fire Science Department of the Rockland Community College. Jimmy was a mentor to myself and alot of other Fire Science Students and truly a friend to many of us. Truly One of the great minds in the FDNY. "Rest in Peace Brother."
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
RET LT MICHAEL R. COGAN ......On 11-21-25 at 77 yrs of age.....Mike was a FF in ENG*41-2 then LAD*124 when Bushwick was Burning.....later he was a LT in R*3

REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (US COAST GUARD) & FDNY......PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES.

PHOTO & OBIT & ARRANGEMENTS.... https://www.nolanfh.com/obituaries/Michael-R-Cogan?obId=46470254
 
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Thank you, Ray

Ladder 124 was one of the busiest truck companies in the city when Mike Cogan was on the job.

May FDNY War Years Firefighter Mike Cogan Rest in Peace and my condolences to his family and Brothers and Sisters of the FDNY.
 
^^^^. (Thanks for posting it Ray) .......Herb's Brother George Eysser RIP is the LT on the right.....Bob Urban second from right....Pat Lee FF 124 / LT 117 third from the right.....thanks to Herb for sending the picture.
 
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RET LT VINCENT D. MARINO.

REST IN PEACE BROTHER...
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE BOTH MILITARY (US ARMY & US COAST GUARD RESERVE)
& FDNY .

91+ years old, Vinnie passed away on December 20th.
Appointed to the FD in December of 1959, he gave faithful service to the people of NY
for 36 years until his retirement in 1995. A good man who was always concerned about
those he worked for.

May he rest in peace.

Firefighter in Engine 58 - Lieutenant in Ladder 55

Wake:
Sunday December 28th
3:00 PM - 6:00 PM

Weigand Brothers Funeral Home
49 Hillside Ave
Williston Park

Vincent D. Marino Obituary
Vincent Donald Marino was born in Manhattan to Dominick and Josephine (Miceli). He was predeceased by his sister, Joan (Galante) and brother Peter. He is survived by his beloved son, Andrew and his loving nieces and nephews. Christine (Robert) Marino-Kramer, Peter (Christine), Lora (John ) Cleary, Vincent (Cheryl) Galante, Richard (Maureen) Galante, Peter (Terumi) Galante and many grand nieces and nephews.

Vinnie lived a life of service to others. He was a lieutenant in the FDNY. This was a job he loved and retired after 35+ years on the Department. His military service included being enlisted in the Army as well as the Coast Guard auxiliary. He was a member of his sailing club TASCA.
He loved spending time, outdoors, playing tennis, golf, shooting sports, skiing and camping. He was most passionate about sailing and took trips up to New England as well as the Virgin Islands. He was an avid reader, liked ballroom dancing, and his fire department experience led him to know his way around the kitchen as a skilled amateur chef. Most of all he relished going to gatherings with his family, friends, and coworkers. He will be greatly missed by all.

Please pass this info along

PHOTO.... 1766720533423.png
 
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RET LT GARY HOWARD R*2..... Received the sad news that a Good Friend & Great FF / Officer has Passed To a Higher Level in his sleep this morning 12-26-25......Gary Howard fought a tough years long battle with some serious health issues.....Gary's Son Eric is a current FDNY FF in SQ*18....Gary's Brother Bruce now RET was also an R*2 FF alongside Gary in R*2.....Gary was appt to SQ*3 in 1970 ....prior to SQ*3 disbanding Gary went to ENG*28 then to LAD*108 then R*2 as a FF....As a LT Gary was in ENG*75 then in 1990 a charter Member of SQ*41 then back to ENG*75........then long term UFO LT spots in LAD*129 & LAD*136 then assigned to R*2 as a LT until a serious Rig accident caused job ending injuries that plauged him for the rest of his life exacerbated by subsequent cancer battles...Gary spent countless hours at the WTC recovery site. ( he also responded to the 1993 WTC bombing ) ...Gary fought his medical battles long & hard FOR YEARS with the same Tenacity & Determination that he demonstrated thru out his FDNY career.....i had the pleasure of working with Gary in four of his different Units.......REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES. .......Further details when available.

PHOTO Thanks to Bob Athanas .......
 
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68jk09 said:
RET LT GARY HOWARD R*2..... Received the sad news that a Good Friend & Great FF / Officer has Passed To a Higher Level in his sleep this morning 12-26-25......Gary Howard fought a tough years long battle with some serious health issues.....Gary's Son Eric is a current FDNY FF in SQ*18....Gary's Brother Bruce now RET was also an R*2 FF alongside Gary in R*2.....Gary was appt to SQ*3 in 1970 ....prior to SQ*3 disbanding Gary went to ENG*28 then to LAD*108 then R*2 as a FF....As a LT Gary was in ENG*75 then in 1990 a charter Member of SQ*41 then back to ENG*75........then long term UFO LT spots in LAD*129 & LAD*136 then assigned to R*2 as a LT until a serious Rig accident caused job ending injuries that plauged him for the rest of his life exacerbated by subsequent cancer battles....Gary fought his medical battles long & hard FOR YEARS with the same Tenacity & Determination that he demonstrated thru out his FDNY career.....i had the pleasure of working with Gary in four of his different Units.......REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES. .......Further details when available.
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I am very saddened to hear of the loss of FDNY Retired Lt Gary Howard of Rescue 2. I had met Gary and had been to his home where we would sit down and talk about the FDNY War Years. I had buffed most of the companies he worked in. He was always a true gentleman to me. As the years passed by his sickness and previous injuries were catching up with him. As I recall it was Chief Jack K. "68jk09" who first introduced me to Gary. He was a good man and I'm sure there is a place in Heaven where he no longer suffers. My sincere condolences to his family and to the members of the FDNY. R.I.P. Gary.
 
While I never met Lt. Gary Howard, his name means so much to the F.D.N.Y. and to those who follow the job. A true War Years Warrior who continued to give so much of himself even after that period.
May he Rest in Peace (he has certainly earned it). May his family at home be comforted and enjoy the warmth of his memory. May his family on the Job also be comforted and remember him in the telling (and retelling) of Gary Howard stories around many Kitchen Tables.
We all salute you, Lieutenant Gary Howard.
 
68jk09 said:
RET LT GARY HOWARD R*2..... Received the sad news that a Good Friend & Great FF / Officer has Passed To a Higher Level in his sleep this morning 12-26-25......Gary Howard fought a tough years long battle with some serious health issues.....Gary's Son Eric is a current FDNY FF in SQ*18....Gary's Brother Bruce now RET was also an R*2 FF alongside Gary in R*2.....Gary was appt to SQ*3 in 1970 ....prior to SQ*3 disbanding Gary went to ENG*28 then to LAD*108 then R*2 as a FF....As a LT Gary was in ENG*75 then in 1990 a charter Member of SQ*41 then back to ENG*75........then long term UFO LT spots in LAD*129 & LAD*136 then assigned to R*2 as a LT until a serious Rig accident caused job ending injuries that plauged him for the rest of his life exacerbated by subsequent cancer battles...Gary spent countless hours at the WTC recovery site. ( he also responded to the 1993 WTC bombing ) ...Gary fought his medical battles long & hard FOR YEARS with the same Tenacity & Determination that he demonstrated thru out his FDNY career.....i had the pleasure of working with Gary in four of his different Units.......REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES. .......Further details when available.

PHOTO Thanks to Bob Athanas .......
Click to expand...
So sorry to hear about Gary. I remember seeing him at many jobs while working in ENY. Then had the pleasure of working with him in SQ41. Rest In Peace Gary
 
68jk09 said:
RET LT GARY HOWARD R*2..... Received the sad news that a Good Friend & Great FF / Officer has Passed To a Higher Level in his sleep this morning 12-26-25......Gary Howard fought a tough years long battle with some serious health issues.....Gary's Son Eric is a current FDNY FF in SQ*18....Gary's Brother Bruce now RET was also an R*2 FF alongside Gary in R*2.....Gary was appt to SQ*3 in 1970 ....prior to SQ*3 disbanding Gary went to ENG*28 then to LAD*108 then R*2 as a FF....As a LT Gary was in ENG*75 then in 1990 a charter Member of SQ*41 then back to ENG*75........then long term UFO LT spots in LAD*129 & LAD*136 then assigned to R*2 as a LT until a serious Rig accident caused job ending injuries that plauged him for the rest of his life exacerbated by subsequent cancer battles...Gary spent countless hours at the WTC recovery site. ( he also responded to the 1993 WTC bombing ) ...Gary fought his medical battles long & hard FOR YEARS with the same Tenacity & Determination that he demonstrated thru out his FDNY career.....i had the pleasure of working with Gary in four of his different Units.......REST IN PEACE BROTHER.....PRAYERS FOR THE COMFORT OF THE FAMILIES. .......Further details when available.

PHOTO Thanks to Bob Athanas .......
Click to expand...
 
I had the great honor of working with both Gary and his brother. I worked with Gary when I was in Ladder 11, and he was in Engine 28, on the Lower East Side. He was a firemen's firemen and great guy. Gary always had a smile and had a great sense of humor. Last time I saw him, was at the FDNY Museum on Spring Street a few years ago. We truly have lost one of the greatest of the great. Rest in peace Brother.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
Great loss to his son, who is on the Job and his immediate family. Great loss to all that worked with him. He was a Great Fireman. Isn’t it strange that the real Fire guys always find the busy places to work in. That was Gary. We have lost a half dozen plus members from my generation of working in the FDNY since mid-October, besides Patrick Brady (TL-120), LOD. Very sad, but as they said in the movie, The Godfather, this is the life we have chose. Stay Strong and Healthy My Brothers!
 
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