Tag:

Ground Zero

Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From Belvidere, Dies Suddenly (TRIBUTE) Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From Belvidere, Dies Suddenly (TRIBUTE)
Col. Kenneth Yeasky, Decorated Army Veteran From Belvidere, Dies Suddenly (Tribute) Col. Kenneth John Yeasky, of Belvidere, passed away unexpectedly on March 3, 2024, his family writes in his obituary on the MacFadden Funeral Home website. He was 60 years old. Ken was born on July 3, 1963 to Mary Ann “Tommie” Tomczyk and the late Edwin Yeasky.  He grew up in Carteret and graduated from Green Brook High School (Somerset County). Ken had a distinguished 38-year military career at multiple levels in different branches. He graduated from Kean University with a bachelor's in industrial engineering, and had graduated from numerous other military schools. "He wanted to be…
'Icon To The Community': Ground Zero First Responder From Bayonne Mickey McCabe Dead At 76 'Icon To The Community': Ground Zero First Responder From Bayonne Mickey McCabe Dead At 76
'Icon To The Community': Ground Zero First Responder From Bayonne Mickey McCabe Dead At 76 Mickey McCabe was all about helping the City of Bayonne. The longtime first responder and community leader died on Monday, June 19 after a long battle with lung cancer, according to his obituary.  McCabe and his wife Judy started McCabe Ambulance Company, which they operated for more than 50 years, his obituary reads.  McCabe was also co-founder and chairperson of the board of BCB Community Bank and a founding member of the Bayonne St. Patrick's Parade Committee, according to his obituary. On 9/11, McCabe went to Manhattan to be a part of the rescue efforts at Ground Zero, working at the…
‘A True Gentleman’: Retired NYSP Trooper From Troy Dies At Age 61 From 9/11-Related Illness ‘A True Gentleman’: Retired NYSP Trooper From Troy Dies At Age 61 From 9/11-Related Illness
‘A True Gentleman’: Retired Nysp Trooper From Troy Dies At Age 61 From 9/11-Related Illness Decades after he helped search for survivors buried in the rubble of the World Trade Center following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, a retired New York State Police trooper has died. Patrick Hogan, of North Greenbush in Rensselaer County, died Thursday, April 13, at the age of 61 from an illness stemming from his time at what became known as Ground Zero, according to State Police. The New York State Troopers PBA, which represents nearly 6,000 retired and active members of the New York State Police, said Hogan’s death will be considered a “line-of-duty death.” Born and raised in Tro…
‘Stolen Valor’: Former NJ EMT Who Fabricated 9/11 Involvement Smoked Out On Social Media ‘Stolen Valor’: Former NJ EMT Who Fabricated 9/11 Involvement Smoked Out On Social Media
‘Stolen Valor’: Former NJ EMT Who Fabricated 9/11 Involvement Smoked Out On Social Media A former North Bergen and Jersey City Medical Center EMT was removed as a guest speaker at a 9/11 memorial event amid a social media uproar over bogus claims that he’d been at Ground Zero as a New York City firefighter. August Johansen, 45, had his photo published along with a story about his participation in a 9/11 fundraiser in a Tennessee town that’s coincidentally named Union City. In the photo, Johansen is wearing an FDNY patch on his polo shirt. Johansen was outed by NYC Fire Wire, an online news service that also participates in fundraisers and assistance efforts for emergency respo…
Eastchester Woman Who Sang At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61 Eastchester Woman Who Sang At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61
Eastchester Woman Who Sang At MLB Games, 9/11 Responder, Dies At 61 A Westchester woman who was known for her work at Ground Zero with the Red Cross and for singing the National Anthem at Major League Baseball games has died. Marie Menna-Doescher, age 61, of Eastchester, died on Tuesday, May 17, after earlier surviving a 9/11 linked cancer relating to her volunteer work for the Red Cross at Ground Zero, according to her obituary. In 1965 the family moved to Eastchester. Her schooling began uneventfully enough, but after singing a solo in a musical performance at Eastchester High School, she blossomed as a natural singing talent, pursuing her singing career …
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds
Disbarred Northern Westchester Attorney Sentenced For Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester will spend time behind bars after he admitted to stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila has been sentenced to 51 months in prison after pleading guilty in White Plains Federal Court for stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government fund…
COVID-19: FDNY Member From Long Island Who Responded On 9/11 Dies From Virus COVID-19: FDNY Member From Long Island Who Responded On 9/11 Dies From Virus
Covid-19: Fdny Member From Long Island Who Responded On 9/11 Dies From Virus A New York City firefighter from Long Island who responded to Ground Zero on 9/11 has died from COVID-19. The department announced on Sunday, Jan. 31, that Firefighter Joseph A. Ferrugia, age 61, of Massapequa, was the first active-duty firefighter to die from the virus.  A 30-year veteran of the department, joining the FDNY in October 1990, assigned to Ladder Company 142 in Queens, Ferrugia has twice been cited for bravery, the department said. Most recently, he was assigned to the Rebreather Unit, as part of the Department’s Special Operations Command, where he served in a critical …
Disbarred Lawyer From Northern Westchester Admits To Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds Disbarred Lawyer From Northern Westchester Admits To Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds
Disbarred Lawyer From Northern Westchester Admits To Stealing $1M From 9/11 Victim Funds A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester admitted to stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila pleaded guilty in White Plains Federal Court for stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government funds to compensate anyone who was harmed or killed as a result of the attacks. It ran fr…
Disbarred Northern Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation, Feds Say Disbarred Northern Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation, Feds Say
Disbarred Northern Westchester Lawyer Charged For Stealing 9/11 Victim Compensation, Feds Say A disbarred attorney from Northern Westchester has been accused of stealing approximately $1 million that was rewarded to one of his clients from the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund. Yorktown Heights resident Gustavo Vila was charged in White Plains Federal Court for allegedly stealing from his client, who was a first responder who suffered life-threatening medical conditions while cleaning up the crash site at Ground Zero. The Victim Compensation Fund was created in the wake of the terror attack to provide government funds to compensate anyone who was harmed or killed as a result of the atta…
COVID-19: Popular Youth Basketball Coach Who Worked At Ground Zero Dies From Virus COVID-19: Popular Youth Basketball Coach Who Worked At Ground Zero Dies From Virus
Covid-19: Popular Youth Basketball Coach Who Worked At Ground Zero Dies From Virus A popular Hudson Valley coach, husband, and father died after contracting the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). AAU basketball coach Sonny Aravena was among four Orange County residents to die on Sunday, March 29 from COVID-19, as the death toll in New York continues to climb as the virus spreads. Aravena, a New Windsor resident, was survived by his wife and four children. The Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh announced the death in a heartfelt Facebook post on Monday, March 30. “The Boys & Girls Club of Newburgh is deeply saddened to announce the passing of our friend, supporter and AAU…
Albert J. Gatti, 58, Of East Brunswick, First Responder On 9/11 Albert J. Gatti, 58, Of East Brunswick, First Responder On 9/11
Albert J. Gatti, 58, Of East Brunswick, First Responder On 9/11 Albert J. Gatti Jr. of East Brunswick died at home Saturday from cancer related to his work at Ground Zero after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He was 58. Gatti was one of many first responders who searched for survivors after 9/11. He was employed by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority and Metropolitan Transportation Authority at the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel. During the next two years, Gatti actively participated in the cleanup in lower Manhattan. He retired in 2016 after 28 yrs and fought cancer the past five years. He was predeceased by his broth…
Former FDNY Firefighter From Westchester Dies From 9-11 Related Cancer Former FDNY Firefighter From Westchester Dies From 9-11 Related Cancer
Former Fdny Firefighter From Westchester Dies From 9-11 Related Cancer A retired FDNY firefighter from the area who responded to the 9/11 terrorist attack along with his older brother who was killed that day, has died from an illness related to his work at Ground Zero. Westchester resident and Rockland County high school graduate Daniel R. Foley, 46, of New Rochelle, died Saturday, Feb. 22, from pancreatic cancer. His cancer was attributed to his rescue and recovery efforts at the site, according to the FDNY. Following the attack, Foley spent days searching for his brother, Thomas J. Foley, 32, a member of Recuse Co. 3, whose body was found 10 days following …
North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi, 77, Dies North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi, 77, Dies
North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi, 77, Dies North Arlington Mayor Joseph Bianchi has died, authorities confirmed Wednesday. "His cancer came back and nobody knew," a colleague told Daily Voice. Bianchi, a 77-year-old Republican who was seeking re-election to a second term in November, owned Pal Joey’s Barber Shop for nearly 55 years. He died around noon Wednesday, colleagues said. Bianchi was a lifelong borough resident, a 26-year borough firefighter, president of Hose Company #1 for four years and, at the time of his death, the department's financial secretary.  He also was among the 9/11 Ground Zero responders. Bianchi …
Hyde Park Police Chief Calls It A Career Hyde Park Police Chief Calls It A Career
Hyde Park Police Chief Calls It A Career One of Hyde Parks “finest” is calling it a career as Chief Eric Paolilli rides off into the retirement sunset following more than three decades in law enforcement. Paolilli, who has made the rounds at several Hudson Valley police agencies, officially stepped away on Aug. 17 at a ceremony held at the Hyde Park Police Department in front of friends, family, colleagues and well-wishers. After spending the early years of his career at the Dutchess County Bureau of Fire, Town of East Fishkill police and the Dutchess County Sheriff's Office, Paolilli transferred to the City of Newburgh Police in …
Nearly 10,000 Suffer From 9/11 Cancers, Report Says Nearly 10,000 Suffer From 9/11 Cancers, Report Says
Nearly 10,000 Suffer From 9/11 Cancers, Report Says As the 17th anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks approaches, nearly 10,000 people have suffered cancers linked to the toxic dust, smoke and plumes at Ground Zero, the New York Post reported here on Sunday, Aug. 12.  The federal World Trade Center Health Program has counted 9,795 first responders, Downtown workers, residents, students and others with cancer "deemed 9/11-related," the Post reported.  Further, more than 1,700 first responders and others affected have died, including 420 of those stricken with cancer, officials told the Post. Cancers have various laten…
New Rochelle Police Officer Dies From 9/11 Related Illness New Rochelle Police Officer Dies From 9/11 Related Illness
New Rochelle Police Officer Dies From 9/11 Related Illness A longtime police officer in Westchester County has died as a result of a 9/11 related illness. New Rochelle Deputy Police Commissioner Robert Gazzola announced that on Thursday, Aug. 16, Police Officer Kathleen O’Connor, a 20-year veteran of the force, died following a “long and courageous battle." O’Connor began her career in New Rochelle in January 1998 and was most recently assigned as a Warrant Officer in the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.  Following the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, O’Connor was active at Ground Zero, assisting with rescue and recovery efforts, wher…
Retired Nyack Firefighter, 51, Dies Of 9/11 Related Cancer Retired Nyack Firefighter, 51, Dies Of 9/11 Related Cancer
Retired Nyack Firefighter, 51, Dies Of 9/11 Related Cancer Retired FDNY Lt. Joseph Stach Jr. of Valley Cottage, died of 9/11 related cancer on Sunday, Jan. 7. He was 51.Stach, who also volunteered for the Nyack Fire Department, served with the FDNY for more than 20 years, before being forced to retire in 2010 after suffering numerous illness, including pancreatic cancer.  On Sept. 11, 2001, Stach was a first responder during the event and spent the first 72 hours at Ground Zero after the attacks. Following he worked at the scene for hours, days and weeks In a GoFundMe page, his son, Darren Sach, wrote that he wanted to share his father's story so p…