PHILADELPHIA (AP) – A Philadelphia firefighter killed in a house collapse has been remembered for his sense of humor, love of his nieces and nephews and passion for his job.
Lt. Matthew LeTourneau’s brother told the congregation at his funeral Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul on Friday that his sibling had great respect for everyone he met.
The Rev. Dennis Gill told mourners LeTourneau was “a good man, a just man.” He adds, “to lay down your life is never empty.”
Firefighters line up as the body of Philadelphia firefighter Lt. Matthew LeTourneau is carried on top of a firetruck during a funeral procession on Friday, Jan. 12, 2018 in Philadelphia. Officials say the funeral mass for Lt. Matthew LeTourneau will be held Friday at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. The 11-year veteran was pulled from the home on Saturday by fellow firefighters and taken to a hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. (AP Photo/Kristen DeGroot)
Afterward, the flag-draped casket was placed atop an engine as the procession made its way to a cemetery in suburban Philadelphia.
The 42-year-old LeTourneau was an 11-year veteran. Fellow firefighters pulled him from the home Saturday. He was pronounced dead at a hospital.
This undated photo provided by the Philadelphia Fire Department shows Lt. Matthew LeTourneau. The veteran firefighter was fatally injured Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, when a burning row home collapsed in Philadelphia and he became pinned under the debris, authorities said. (Philadelphia Fire Department via AP)
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, photo, Philadelphia police salute the procession for veteran firefighter Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau in Philadelphia. LeTourneau was fatally injured Saturday when a burning row home collapsed in Philadelphia and he became pinned under the debris, authorities said. A person who lived in the home was also killed. (Elizabeth Robertson/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
In this Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018, photo, firefighters embrace as their colleagues battle a row home fire in Philadelphia. A veteran firefighter was fatally injured Saturday when a burning row home collapsed in Philadelphia and he became pinned under the debris, authorities said. A person who lived in the home was also killed. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
Firefighters embrace as their colleagues battle a row home fire in Philadelphia on Saturday, Jan. 6, 2018. A veteran firefighter was fatally injured when a burning row home collapsed and he became pinned under the debris, authorities said. A person who lived in the home was also killed. Lieutenant Matthew LeTourneau, 42, was pulled from the home by fellow firefighters and taken to Temple University hospital. The 11-year-veteran was pronounced dead there a short time later. (Tim Tai/The Philadelphia Inquirer via AP)
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