BRAVEST BATTLE VS. 9/11 PLAGUE
Bx. vet O’Hanlon’s death is #159 from WTC ills in FDNY
THE 9/11 TERROR attacks have claimed the life of another firefighter who spent weeks at Ground Zero, according to the union that represents city firefighters.
Retired FDNY Firefighter Michael O’Hanlon, a 30-year veteran of Engine Co. 68 in the Bronx, died last Monday after a battle with 9/11-related stomach and esophageal cancer, the Uniformed Firefighters Association said.
O’Hanlon, 59, spent several weeks sifting through the mangled ruins of the twin towers after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. He retired in 2013.
“He was a very proud firefighter who loved Irish music and his Irish heritage,” said Gerard Fitzgerald, president of the union.
Friends and family said their final goodbyes on Friday during services at Assumption Church in Peekskill, Westchester County.
The funeral was attended by hundreds, including members of the Peekskill Fire Department.
O’Hanlon is survived by his wife of 35 years, Maggie, and children, Katherine, Michael Jr. and Martin.
O’Hanlon was born Nov. 1, 1957, in the Bronx. His parents came from Ireland and their home was filled with Irish traditions and culture.
“A favorite memory of his was the smell of his mom’s soda bread and treacle bread (Mike’s favorite) baking in the oven,” the New York State Ancient Order of Hibernians said in a statement announcing his death.
In 1982, the graduate of the Bronx’s Mount St. Michael Academy joined the FDNY .
He told friends and family that working for the FDNY was the “greatest job on Earth.” His entire career was spent in the firehouse known as the “House on the Hill” in Highbridge.
A year before joining the FDNY, he married Maggie and moved to Cortlandt Manor, near Peekskill.
He joined the FDNY’s Emerald Society and marched in each year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.
As an accomplished button accordion player, he played at many events, including one at Carnegie Hall.
All told, 343 FDNY members and 23 NYPD cops died on 9/11. Fire Department officials say 159 FDNY members, including firefighters, EMS personnel, civilian employees and fire marshals, have died of 9/11-related illnesses.
“It seems like we are going to these funerals all too often,” Fitzgerald said, noting 1,700 union active and retired members have some type of cancer believed to be 9/11-related.
“He tragically was the latest to succumb after a long brave fight,” he added.
But O’Hanlon never let the cancer define him, friends and family said.
“He went on numerous trips,” Fitzgerald said. “He fought a brave and courageous fight.”