Wake held Friday for fallen FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady
A wake was held Friday for New York City Firefighter Patrick Brady, who died after suffering a medical episode while battling a fire in Brooklyn.
Hundreds of family, friends, colleagues and mourners gathered at the Marine Park Funeral Home on Quentin Road in Brooklyn to pay tribute to the 11-year FDNY veteran.
Brady, a 42-year-old Queens native, died after going into cardiac arrest while on the roof of a burning building last weekend. He was pronounced dead at Brookdale University Hospital later that night. He is survived by his wife, as well as cousins, brothers and uncles, who are also FDNY firefighters.
"My best friend, my rock, Patrick"
His widow spoke at Friday's wake, thanking supporters for their expressions of love and saying the 16 years she shared with her husband were the best of her life.
"Every story shared, every hug, and every kind word is helping us navigate the pain of losing my husband, my best friend, my rock, Patrick," Kara Brady said.
"Ladder 120 and Engine 231 have lost one of their best, and Pat Brady was one of our best, and we mourn the loss," FDNY Chief of Department John Esposito said.
"The firehouse was his second home, and I am forever grateful that he was surrounded by his second family on the night he passed," Kara Brady said.
"It's who we have in our life that really matters"
Black and purple bunting was placed outside his second home in his honor.
"He loved going to work, being surrounded by his brothers and helping others," Kara Brady said.
"Patrick was larger than life. He represented what a firefighter and, more importantly, what a genuine good person should be," FDNY Battalion Chief Scott Coyne said.
Brady and his family were met with a silent but powerful salute from hundreds of mourners, a deserving symbol for a man many described as a hero.
"If there was one thing Pat would want us to remember, it is this. To treat others the way we want to be treated. It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that really matters. Thank you Patrick for being in ours," Kara Brady said.
Patrick Brady's funeral is set for Saturday at the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor.
Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered flags on all state government buildings be lowered to half staff Saturday to honor him.
"The men and women of New York's Fire Department risk their lives every single day to protect ours — that is exactly what Firefighter Patrick Brady did while battling a five-alarm fire on Saturday," Hochul said. "Firefighter Brady gave his life in service to his fellow New Yorkers, and I am grateful for his courage and 11 years with the department working every day to protect our city."