He put out emotional fires.
A heroic firehouse chaplain who died of 9/11-related pancreatic most cancers was honored at a heartfelt FDNY ceremony Wednesday — with co-workers praising his selfless means to consolation bravest households on the worst days of their lives.
Rev. Monsignor John Delendick, of Ladder 170 — who buried a whole bunch of fallen firefighters over almost three a long time — was one in all 14 FDNY members who died final 12 months, officers stated on the division’s annual Memorial Day Ceremony Wednesday.
“He was only a dynamic particular person,” longtime buddy and retired firefighter Dan Prince, 77, advised The Submit. “There have been so many households that he took care of. ”
“Kids of the households [would] come up and introduce themselves and say, ‘Monsignor, you don’t keep in mind me, however I used to be so-and-so’s son and also you helped me and my household in our time of want,’” Prince stated. “That was him.”
Delendick, who joined the FDNY as a chaplain in Could 1996, additionally officiated weddings and baptisms — and gave religious help in any respect hours, based on pals and colleagues.
“He couldn’t do sufficient for the folks. He by no means was off responsibility,” Prince stated.
On Sept. 11, 2001, Delendick rushed to the World Commerce Heart provide firefighters religious help as they suffered by way of harm, chaos and the deaths of work-mates after the terrorist assault.
Within the years that adopted, he officiated numerous funerals of firefighters who died of 9/11-related diseases after inhaling poisonous chemical substances at floor zero.
He was later himself recognized with pancreatic most cancers linked to the rescue effort, FDNY officers stated.
“I don’t assume it modified him, aside from it slowed him down. He didn’t surrender,” Prince stated.
On Wednesday, hundreds of FDNY employees gathered at Riverside Park in Manhattan to honor Delendick and 13 different members of the bravest who died up to now 12 months.
Of the FDNY employees who misplaced their lives final 12 months, two died within the line of responsibility, each from cardiac arrest, officers stated.
“The FDNY is aware of all about loss. Our members take this job figuring out that loss is a risk given the damaging work they do. At this time, we’re saddened by the load of those losses,” Fireplace Commissioner Robert Tucker advised the viewers.
“We do that so we are able to keep in mind the very particular place our fallen have in our hearts.”
Mayor Eric Adams thanked the households of fallen firefighters for his or her sacrifice in a short speech.
“I thank the members of the family for giving their family members to the folks of this metropolis. God bless FDNY. God bless America,” Adams stated.
In whole, greater than 370 FDNY employees have died of 9/11-related diseases in additional than twenty years.
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