FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady's funeral held at packed church in Queens
The funeral for fallen New York City firefighter Patrick Brady was held Saturday in Queens, where fellow FDNY members, family and friends gathered to mourn his loss.
He was posthumously promoted to lieutenant.
The 42-year-old FDNY veteran died in the line of duty last weekend in Brooklyn after officials said he suddenly collapsed from cardiac arrest on the roof of a burning building.
"Patrick touched everyone"
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all government buildings to lower flags to half staff Saturday in Brady's honor.
Brady's funeral service started Saturday morning at Church of St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor, the same church where he was married.
Hundreds lined the streets outside and watched the flag-draped casket arrive. The service was livestreamed on CBS News New York.
The eulogies had a common theme, that Brady lived a life of service and died doing what he was called to do.
"So many of you have described Pat to me as the person that lights up the room, as the person whose friend you must be, someone it sounds like I would've wanted to be really good friends with," FDNY Commissioner Robert Tucker said. "The originator of dozens of group chats, with all different friend groups. He's the friend who makes you feel you're the only one, who latches onto a tiny detail about you and makes it a thing between both of you forever. And his love and passion for the FDNY lets us know he died doing the work and the job he always wanted to do."
Patrick Brady was a roofman, assigned to specific tasks on the roof of burning buildings.
"It is a position that touches everyone, and that is just what Pat did — that night, and with his life," Battalion Chief Scott Coyne said. "Nothing steered him. Nothing held him up. Patrick made his position, and Patrick touched everyone. He knew that everyone was relying on him."
Loved ones described Patrick Brady as a man who lit up a room and a jokester with a larger-than-life personality. They said he always gave more than he got and loved his family, especially his parents and wife, Kara.
"It's safe to say Pat was the apex Brady," cousin Peter Brady said. "He had the unique ability to be the most popular, coolest guy with absolutely none of the go."
"Pat was a man of his word, and if you needed somebody to bail you out of jail, Pat was definitely at the top of your list," family friend Bernadette Heeran said.
"See, Patrick's heart will never stop. His love for life, happiness, laughter and making this world a better place — that will be timeless," Coyne said.
Hundreds salute fallen firefighter at wake
Hundreds of mourners gathered Friday for Brady's wake at the Marine Park Funeral Home on Quentin Road in Brooklyn.
His widow gave remarks thanking them all for their expressions of love.
"The 16 years we shared together were the best of my life," Kara Brady said. "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."
Brady is also survived by his parents and two brothers, who are also FDNY firefighters, as well as uncles and cousins.
"One of our best"
After Brady's death, black and purple bunting were draped outside his firehouse in Brownsville, which colleagues said was his second home.
"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.
"Patrick was larger than life. He represented what a firefighter and, more importantly, a genuine good person should be," Coyne said.
Brady, a Queens native, was an 11-year veteran of the FDNY.
