A firefighter who responded during the September 11 terror attacks and spent most of his life helping others, was remembered at a funeral on Saturday.
Robert Tilerarcio, 58, was remembered by friends and family at the funeral Mass held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Massapequa, New York.
‘Bobby was loved by many,’ said colleague LeRoy McGinnis in a eulogy, accoording to the New York Daily News.
Robert Tilerarcio, 58, was remembered by friends and family at the funeral Mass held at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Massapequa, New York
Tilerarcio had fought tremendously for the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that passed in 2011 under former President Obama, which honored those who had been sick or injured during the September 11, 2011 terror attacks
‘The wealth of a man’s life should not be judged from what he owns, but by the lives he touched and the friendships he made.
Tilerarcio had been influential in the passing of the Zadroga Act, which helped those poisoned during their work at Ground Zero.
Referring to the firefighter’s nickname, he added: ‘Skippy made a lot of friends. I’m one of them. We miss him. We love him.’
Exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center after the September 11 terrorist attacks, the father-of-two – who had been with the Engine Company 266 in Rockaway Beach, Queens since 1983- died from a brain tumor on October 25
The firefighter had been at Ground Zero for more than 48 hours on the bucket brigade, according to family members (stock)
Tilerarcio’s body lay in a casket close to the alter beneath a red cloth and had a photo of him to the side. The firefighter was remembered for being funny and lovable.
‘He also did comedy,’ said McGinnis.
Going back and forth to Washington D.C. on numerous occasions, he was a fighter for the law even before his own diagnosis
‘I heard he sometimes refused to get off the stage. Good for him.’
Exposed to toxins from the World Trade Center after the September 11 terrorist attacks, Tilerarcio – who had been with the Engine Company 266 in Rockaway Beach, Queens since 1983- died from a brain tumor on October 25.
The firefighter had been at Ground Zero for more than 48 hours on the bucket brigade, according to family members.
He is proceeded by his wife and two children.
Tilerarcio had fought tremendously for the Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act that passed in 2011 under former President Obama.
Going back and forth to Washington D.C. on numerous occasions, he was a fighter for the law even before his own diagnosis.
His two children (left) and wife (right) were in attendance at the funeral and had their arms linked as they remembered the firefighter
It was named after James Zadroga, a NYPD officer who suffered a respiratory disease that was linked to the World Trade Center. He had had no history of smoking or asthma prior to 9/11.
Tilearcio’s death marks the 15th FDNY member to die from a 9/11 illness this year. According to local officials, 159 FDNY and 133 NYPD personnel have died from 9/11-linked illnesses, so far.
The federal September 11th Victim Compensation Fund has distributed $2.8 billion to nearly 17,000 people as of August who are suffering from 9/11 related illnesses and injuries.
Tilearcio’s (center) death marks the 15th FDNY member to die from a 9/11 illness this year. According to local officials, 159 FDNY and 133 NYPD personnel have died from 9/11-linked illnesses, so far