Overview
- He died on Thanksgiving of a 9/11-related illness, according to FDNY union announcements and family confirmation.
- He spent months at Ground Zero after the attacks and personally recovered the remains of his eldest son, Firefighter Jimmy Riches, in March 2002.
- He became a leading voice for families and sick responders, chairing a 9/11 firefighters’ group and testifying before city, state and federal officials.
- FDNY unions report that deaths tied to World Trade Center exposure have surpassed 400, exceeding the 343 firefighters killed on Sept. 11, 2001.
- His funeral is scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday at St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bay Ridge after Sunday visitation in Brooklyn.