The note attached to three bouquets placed before the firehouse of Rescue Company 4 in Woodside was signed “Yellow Taxi Driver 7540,” but it captured the sentiments of an entire city grieving the loss of three firemen killed Sunday in…
By Dustin Brown
“God Bless You.”
The note attached to three bouquets placed before the firehouse of Rescue Company 4 in Woodside was signed “Yellow Taxi Driver 7540,” but it captured the sentiments of an entire city grieving the loss of three firemen killed Sunday in the line of duty.
The garages of two Woodside fire companies were shrouded Monday in purple and black bunting to mourn the loss of Firefighters Harry Ford and Brian Fahey of Rescue Company 4, and Firefighter John J. Downing of Ladder Company 163. They died Sunday afternoon when an explosion tore through an Astoria hardware store, crushing Ford and Downing beneath a collapsed front wall and trapping Fahey beneath a stairway in the basement.
The depth of the tragedy was matched only by the sense of camaraderie among members of the Fire Department as they grieved, and the outpouring of support offered by the surrounding community.
“When one goes down, it’s really a loss for all of us,” said Harold Schaitberger, president of the International Association of Fire Fighters, the union representing 240,000 firefighters nationwide. “As tragic as it is, when one goes down, there’s a strong bond and strong ties that help keep us and the families together at this terrible time.”
Firemen from across the city visited the companies, bringing hugs and trays of food and offering support to the men who felt the loss most strongly.
“Right now they’re in shock. This doesn’t sink in until after the funeral,” said 52nd Battalion Chief Jack Corcoran, who formerly served as the captain for Rescue 4. “We have a tremendous support system. After the funeral is the quiet time you’re by yourself.”
Both firehouses were being manned this week by firefighters normally based at other stations around the city. Officials allowed members of the affected companies to console the families and prepare for the funerals.
The firefighters also received guidance from other companies which had recently ended the grieving process.
“The last firehouse that lost someone, you come and try to get them set up for what’s in store for them,” said Firefighter John McGowan of Ladder 44, whose company lost a member in the line of duty four months ago.
Yellow Taxi Driver 7540 was not the only outsider to offer his condolences. Over the course of the day, many people came by the Queens Boulevard firehouse of Rescue Company 4 to show their support.
“You don’t hear about firefighters until something tragic happens,” said a Board of Education employee who stepped away from his Queens Boulevard office to stop by the fire house.
“My point was to say thank you for what you do and I’m so sorry about the loss,” said a colleague who joined him on the visit.
A woman pushing a stroller past the fire house paused for a moment before turning back toward the garage, where she spoke to firemen as her son, trailing in a three-wheeler, asked “what happened?” and then “who died?”
Harry Ford, 50, of Long Beach, a 27-year veteran of the Fire Department and native of Little Neck, leaves his wife Denise as well as three children: Janna O’Brian, 24, Harry, 12 and Gerard, 10.
Firefighter John Gaine described him as “a phenomenal, giving person” who led other members of the company by example.
“He wouldn’t tell someone to do something, he’d do it himself,” Gaines said.
Brian Fahey, 46, a 14-year veteran and resident of East Rockaway, leaves his wife Mary and three sons: Brendan, 8, and twins Patrick and James, 3 1/2.
Colleagues lauded Fahey as a fine teacher who worked as an instructor at the fire academy.
“He was a great family man,” Gaine said.
John J. Downing, 40, of Port Jefferson Station, an 11-year veteran and Woodside native, leaves his wife Anne, a 7-year-old daughter Joanne, and a 3-year-old son Michael. He had been preparing to leave for a trip to Ireland, where his wife was born.
“John was a joker, a very outgoing person, very smart — book smart,” said Firefighter Matty McDougall. “He was studying for the lieutenant’s test.”
Wakes were slated for Ford and Fahey Tuesday and Wednesday. Ford’s funeral is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Ignatius Church on the corner of Grand and Broadway in Long Beach. Fahey’s funeral is scheduled for 1 p.m. Thursday at St. Raymond’s Church, 263 Atlantic Avenue in East Rockaway.
The wake for Downing will be held 2-5 p.m. and 7-9 p.m. at Kennedy Roth Funeral Home at 41-45 58th St. in Woodside. His funeral is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Friday at St. Sebastian Church at 58-02 Roosevelt Ave. in Woodside.
Reach reporter Dustin Brown by e-mail at Timesledger@aol.com or call 229-0300, Ext. 154.
