City Officials Hold Memorial Service For Philadelphia Firefighter Killed Last Month
By Mike Dunn
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Joyce Craig, the first female firefighter to die in the line of duty in Philadelphia, was memorialized today at City Hall by Mayor Nutter and other officials.
The service, in the mayor's reception room, marked the end of the city's 30-day period of mourning, following Craig's death on December 9th in a West Oak Lane house fire.
Mayor Nutter (at far left in photo below) lamented that he never knew Craig in life.
"I just wish that, for all that she has done, I wish that I'd had an opportunity to meet (her), not because of what happened that day but because of her service," he said. "Joyce Craig -- a leader, a trailblazer, a firefighter, a hero -- saved a citizen and gave of herself the ultimate sacrifice."
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Also eulogizing Craig was her brother Michael, who said the family is both grieving and full of pride.
"You can't help but to smile -- she was a great person," he said. "She was a great firefighter. She was an outstanding mother, aunt, sister, daughter. She was awesome."
Also in attendance were Craig's 16-year-old son and one-year-old daughter.