Firefighter William Tolley — who tragically died in April while battling a blaze in Ridgewood — will forever be remembered near his station house in Glendale as the City Council passed a street co-naming bill to honor him on Oct. 31.
Tolley spent his entire 14-year career with FDNY Engine Company 286/Ladder Company 135 in Glendale, lovingly known as the Myrtle Turtles. Now, the street directly adjacent to the firehouse will bear his name.
In order to honor his memory, the piece of legislation introduced and co-sponsored by Councilwoman Elizabeth Crowley will co-name 66th Place between Myrtle and Cooper avenues “Firefighter William Tolley Way.”
“Firefighter Tolley dedicated his life to public service. No matter the task, he put others before himself, and paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our community,” Crowley said. “We will never forget his sacrifice and his legacy will on through this street co-naming.”
Aside from his work as a firefighter, Tolley was an avid heavy metal drummer with the band Internal Bleeding. He and his band wrote and released five albums that had a global reach. He also completed many U.S. and international tours, including festivals in countries such as Indonesia and Russia.
The Council also passed legislation to co-name Bleeker Street between 60th Place and 61st Street as “Deacon Fabio Flaim Way” to honor the late deacon who did extensive work at St. Aloysius, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal, St. Pancras, and St. Matthias Churches.
The co-naming ceremonies will be held after Mayor Bill de Blasio signs both of these bills into law.
