Firefighters, relatives and friends packed a Queens church Saturday to bid farewell to FDNY firefighter Patrick Brady, who died in the line of duty one week ago.
His casket, draped by an American flag, was brought to the Church of St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor atop “Ladder 120,” from the firehouse he served since 2022.
“Patrick’s heart will always be alive and well, beating harder than ever before,” said Battalion Chief Scott Coyne, the former Captain of Ladder 120. “Patrick, my friend, you did an outstanding job. It was an honor to serve with you. You laid a foundation and left us in a better place than when you found us.”
“Pat was always there for everyone,” Lt. Kevin Healy told mourners. “He was always there for the brothers, he was always there for me and looking back at last Saturday night when Pat gave his live for the calling, I wish I was there for him.”
Brady, 42, suffered a medical episode and went into cardiac arrest while on the roof of a building in Brownsville battling a fire on Nov. 8.
The family Brady leaves behind includes brothers, cousins and uncles who also serve with the department.
“We want to express our heartfelt gratitude for the incredible outpouring of love and support during this time of grief and sadness,” cousin Peter Brady said as he addressed the audience.
Brady’s widow, Kara, received an FDNY helmet in tribute.
The FDNY announced during the service that Brady had been posthumously promoted to the rank of lieutenant.
“Patrick Brady was a hero,” said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro.
Brady was an 11-year veteran of New York’s Bravest. He was later buried in a private ceremony on Long Island.
Widow’s message of thanks
On Friday in Marine Park, Brooklyn, outside the wake for her late husband, Kara Brady delivered the following message to the public:
“On behalf of the entire Brady family, I’d like to express my heartfelt gratitude to everyone who has been by our side during this awful time. 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.
If I could choose anyone in the world to love, I would choose him over and over again. The 16 years we shared together were the best of my life.
A special thank you to the FDNY, especially Ladder 120. We are grateful for the support, loyalty, and love you have given us, while suffering your own pain.
It was Pat’s lifelong dream to be a fireman, and when he took that oath, he took it seriously. He loved going to work, being surrounded by his brothers and helping others. The firehouse was his second home, and I am forever grateful that he was surrounded by his second family on the night he passed.
Pat always had a smile to share, a joke to tell, and the ability to make you feel like you were the most important person. If there is one thing Pat would want us to remember, it is this: to treat others the way we want to be treated.
It’s not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that really matters. Thank you, Patrick, for being in ours.”
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