FDNY gathers for funeral of Retired Firefighter William J. Gormley of Ladder 174
Beloved First Responder Battled 9/11-Related Illness
On Wednesday, more than 300 firefighters attended a funeral Mass for retired firefighter William John Gormley at St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Church at 1550 Hendrickson St. in Flatlands.
Gormley, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps., died on June 14 surrounded by his family, his wife Lizanne and children Bridget, William, Raymond and Kevin. He joined FDNY in 1988 and retired from the East Flatbush Ladder Company 174 in 2006.
The 53-year-old Gormley, a first responder on 9/11, died following a short battle with lung cancer. The illness has been linked to his heroic actions 16 years earlier at the World Trade Center.