By Phil Corso
Lt. Peter J. Farrenkopf used to call Bayside home before he died in 2009 of illnesses that dated back to his working at Ground Zero after Sept. 11.
Now his family, friends and neighbors can refer to his name as their home.
More than 10 years later, the Sept. 11 first responder was honored in Bayside for putting others’ lives before his own while he was at work on the burning pile of debris in the attack’s aftermath.
City Councilman Dan Halloran (R-Whitestone) unveiled a new street sign Sunday for the new Lt. Peter J. Farrenkopf Place, at 207th Street and 26th Avenue in Bayside, in remembrance of the former FDNY Marine Co. 6 member.
Farrenkopf, who lived on 207th Street in Bayside, died 90 days after being diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2009, which doctors said he contracted while performing duties at Ground Zero after Sept. 11. He served more than 30 years with the Fire Department and was listed as a victim of the attacks.
Halloran joined with Farrenkopf’s family and neighbors Sunday afternoon to unveil the new sign along with state Assemblyman Edward Braunstein (D-Bayside).
“This street is a tribute to a man who gave his life saving others,” said Halloran. “Lt. Farrenkopf was a hero, a family man and a true American patriot.”
The councilman has two brothers who serve as FDNY firefighters and also lost a cousin, Lt. Vincent Halloran, in the attacks on 9/11.
The weekend celebration came a little more than two weeks after Halloran underwent a neurosurgical procedure to remove a benign tumor in his head. Halloran was operated on May 23 at the New York University Langone Medical Center in Manhattan and returned home to Flushing three days later, his office said.
Reach reporter Phil Corso by e-mail at pcorso@cnglocal.com or by phone at 718-260-4573.
