25 Names Added to Memorial Wall for Deaths Related to World Trade Center Illnesses

The FDNY Foundation joins the FDNY in honoring 25 FDNY 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 on Tuesday, September 14th in a ceremony at FDNY Headquarters.

“Earlier this month, we marked 20 years since the World Trade Center attacks. And in my tenure as Fire Commissioner, I have attended countless ceremonies in remembrance, plaque dedications and memorials. These days all have one theme that’s just two simple words. Never Forget. We look back to that day 20 years ago, when we lost 343 members. And while the losses suffered that day cannot be quantified, losses that continue to shape our lives and our families, they did not end that day. In fact, that day was just the beginning for our Department, of losses that will grow well past the 343, sadly, in the years to come. In these two decades since 9/11, we have continued to see our members die of illnesses sustained as a result of their time working at the World Trade Center attack in rescue, and eventually recovery. More than 257 men and women who served this Department, who helped us try to find our loved ones and clean up the site have lost their lives due to illness caused by that work,” said FDNY Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro.

“Our memorial wall was built in 2011, and at the time, we had no idea how many names would eventually be added to it. We expanded it last year to make sure there will be room to honor all those whose lives are lost to World Trade Center related illnesses. But they’re not just names on a wall. They are people, our people, your people. Our friends and colleagues, our mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers…aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. And as we watched their bravery in their careers, so too did we watch their bravery in their illness, as they fought against cancers and other illnesses that they would eventually claim their lives. All of this, because they never hesitated to put other people first, to run into trouble if it meant helping others. Too many retired members, who spent careers in service of others have passed before they could properly enjoy their well-deserved years with their families. And so today, we remember,” said Commissioner Nigro.

To date, more than 257 FDNY members have died of World Trade Center related illnesses. The FDNY Foundation will never forget the service and sacrifice of all FDNY members we have lost since 9/11.

Those names added to the wall are:

Lieutenant Donald Franz, Engine 329
Firefighter Anthony R. Iraci, Engine 155
Firefighter Anthony J. Catapano, Engine 202
Firefighter Paul A. McManaman, Squad 252
Assoc. Electrical Inspector Michael Kavolius, Bureau of Fire Prevention
Firefighter John P. Fogarty, Ladder 3
Firefighter Timothy J. Burke, Rescue 5
EMT Rene Sanchez, Bureau of Investigations and Trials
Lieutenant John P. Poulos, Engine 266
Firefighter William Hodgens, Engine 160
Fire Marshal Robert J. Kelly, ADMBFI
Firefighter Thomas G. Manley, Ladder 113
Firefighter Ronald P. Stortz, Ladder 107
Lieutenant Gerard C. McGibbon, Engine 217
EMS Lt. Paige A. Humphries, Staton16
Firefighter Dennis A. Farrell, Ladder 59
Firefighter George H. Wilton, Jr., Ladder 84
Firefighter Joseph M. Boyle, Engine 38
Captain Frank A. Portelle, Division 6
Firefighter Joseph K. Daly, Engine 218
Firefighter James D. Shaughnessy, Battalion 11
Lieutenant James J. Winters, Engine 278
Captain John J. Galvin, Division 8
Firefighter Sean D. Kenny, Engine 155
Firefighter Thomas G. Oelkers, Ladder 44

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.”

To view the full ceremony, please visit: bit.ly/2021WTCWall

To view more photos from the ceremony, visit: bit.ly/2Xcrqdj