Tragic FDNY wife survived cancer
The wife of the FDNY firefighter who died battling a raging blaze in Harlem is a breast-cancer survivor, neighbors said Friday.
Eileen and Michael Davidson of Floral Park, LI, have four children — three girls, 7, 3 and 1, and a boy, 6.
“They’re such sweet people,” said a neighbor, Peggy Healy, 82, adding that Eileen had fought cancer but “she’s OK” now.
A former neighbor called Michael (right), 37, “amazing” and “a great guy.”
“We’re all devastated. [Eileen] just went through her own issues,” the neighbor, Patti Sowinski, 41, said, referring to the wife’s battle with cancer. “And now to have this.”
The widow told The New York Times Friday night she was grateful for the time they had together.
“I only had eight years with him,” she said, tearfully. “But those eight years, we lived, and we loved. And we fought. But we really lived, because that’s what Michael inspired you to do. And I would take those eight years over 80, living them the way I did with my husband.”
Davidson’s career with the FDNY spanned 15 years, and he had strong family ties to the department.
His father, Robert Davidson, is a retired city firefighter of 26 years and worked mostly out of the same firehouse, Engine Co. 69, as he did.
Michael Davidson’s brother, Eric, is an 11-year firefighter with Engine Co. 88 in The Bronx.
A former firefighter who retired from the Engine 69 firehouse in 2009 and knew Davidson and his dad also praised the fallen hero.
“He was well respected, a great father. He was just a great guy, young guy, in great shape, great reputation . . . an incredible young man,” the former firefighter said. “We’re in a state of shock.”
Davidson’s neighbors recalled seeing Michael and his kids building a snowman outside the family’s home on Thursday hours before the night- time blaze that would end his life.fe.
“I saw him yesterday afternoon.n. He was busy playing with his kidss — before he went to work. He was just down in the snow, right in front of the house,” said neigh-bor Joanne Caldon, 67.
After this week’s nor’easter, Davidson cleared three neighborhood sidewalks with his snowblower.
“I just yelled across at him, ‘Thank you, Michael!’ He said, ‘Oh, you’re very welcome,’ ” re-called Healy, his neighbor. “He was such a kind man.”
Heroic firefighter Michael Davidson gave his life Thursday night while responding to a fire at the set of a movie in Harlem — yet another devastating reminder that first responders truly risk it all to protect this city.
Davidson, 37, was nozzleman for the crew that headed into the fiery building after actor/ screenwriter Edward Norton alerted police to smoke coming from the basement. Separated from the team as it retreated from the advancing fire, Davidson was later found unconscious on the floor and rushed to Harlem Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
He leaves behind his wife, Eileen, and four children ages 1, 3, 6 and 7. Norton and the rest of the “Motherless Brooklyn” film crew offered condolences: “Our hearts ache in solidarity with his family. New York City firefighters truly are the bravest in the world.”
The FDNY notes that Davidson, cited for bravery four times during his 15 years with the department, is the 1,150th city firefighter to die in the line of duty. His father is an FDNY retiree who served 26 years in the same Engine Company 39; his brother is an 11-year FDNY vet assigned to Engine Company 88 in The Bronx.
Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro has it right: “Our entire city mourns his loss.” Rest in peace.