FDNY firefighter William P. Moon II from Islip remembered for his service and dedication

When Billy Moon was a child, he and his brother took to their backyard and played at putting out fires. Moon was preparing for his calling: saving lives.

Even after his death from head injuries sustained in a 20-foot fall as he was getting ready for a drill at his Brooklyn firehouse Dec. 12, William P. Moon II, 47, continued to help others through the donation of his heart, lungs, liver and kidneys.

“For Billy it was never making himself better, it was about what could be done to make those better around him,” his wife Kristina told the hundreds of mourners who crowded St. Patrick’s Roman Catholic Church in Bay Shore or watched from television screens and speakers scattered along a one-mile stretch of Main Street.

Andrew Ansbro, president of the FDNY Uniform Firefighters Association, said that “even in death, [Moon] continued to save lives.” Among five recipients of Moon’s organs were two fellow firefighters, including retired 9/11 first responder Terrance Jordan.

“Billy’s lungs have literally breathed life into Terrence Jordan,” FDNY commissioner Laura Kavanagh told the mourners.

LiveOnNY, a nonprofit that works to facilitate organ donations, said three of the organ recipients live in New York.

The Rev. Sean Gann of St. Patrick’s offered a Mass that was warm, poignant and at times funny, painting a picture of a man dedicated to his family and to service.

Flanked by a photo of Moon caught in a moment of raucous laughter, Gann shared that he’d heard “Billy stories” at the wake — and told the mourners gathered how while some of those couldn’t be retold in church he’d be happy to tell them outside on the sidewalk.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams spoke at the funeral of a common thread of service that runs through the families of first responders.

“That patch that shows red, white and blue is more than just an indicator of what it is to be a member of the FDNY,” Adams said. “It’s an indicator of what it means to be an American family.”

“We’re going to miss firefighter Moon,” the mayor added. “For he was not only a hero in life, he understood what it meant to be a firefighter: courage, bravery and sacrifice.”

At times tearful, fellow firefighters Lt. James Keane, Capt. Liam Flaherty and Thomas Butler spoke during the service of Moon’s energy, of his dedication, of his professionalism. They laughingly recalled his stubbornness, his willingness to debate. To argue his point.

“He’s always made a difference in people’s lives,” Keane said.

Outside of the church, Moon’s two children, Colin and Brianne, were presented with his Rescue 2 helmets as Kavanagh and firefighters shared a private word with the family.

Kristina tearfully called her late husband her “best friend.” Colin, dressed in an FDNY uniform, said he’s “really sad to see him go.”

“He said his favorite job’s a fireman, but it really is being a dad,” a composed Colin told the funeral crowd.

Moon was appointed to the FDNY on May 5, 2002, and began his career at Ladder Company 133 in Jamaica, Queens. He worked there for 20 years before being detailed to Rescue Company 2 this year.

Moon also served as a volunteer with the Islip Fire Department since 1995 and was chief of department in 2017. He also raced with the department’s drill team and friends said he helped them secure tournament championships.

Butler, a retired FDNY firefighter who also volunteers in Islip, told the Moon kids they have “135 uncles” who will always be for them in their hometown department. 

Butler said Moon’s parents volunteered with the Islip Terrace Fire Department.

Joe Rosadio, an ex-chief from Islip Terrace, described Moon as an experienced firefighter and a calming presence.

“He was the epitome of what we do,” he said as he watched the service outside. “It’s a tough day for everybody.”

Islip Town Supervisor Angie Carpenter called the loss “so devastating.”

“But [it’s moving] to be here this morning and to see the level of honor and respect from members of not just the fire community but from the community in general,” Carpenter said.

Hundreds of firefighters, many of whom had arrived hours earlier, lined Main Street clad in dress uniforms — all somber and standing at attention, the only sounds the rumble of engines and the whirring blades of a helicopter that hovered overhead.

Following the motorcycle police was an NYPD patrol car, official vehicles, and fire trucks, including at least one from the Islip Fire Department. On the windshield of that Islip truck a sign read, simply: “In Memory of Billy Moon.”

Behind that ladder truck came the FDNY Emerald Society Pipes and Drum Band, in full dress kilts and in cadence, bagpipers and drummers dutifully playing the funeral dirge.

Purple bunting adorned the FDNY engine that carried the flag-draped coffin of Moon, the 1,159th member of the department to have died in the line of duty. A helicopter flyover and the playing the taps closed out the service as the pipe and drum band then marched back down Main Street.

“His death is tragic,” Ansbro said. “We train constantly … you never expect to lose someone this way." 

With Shari Einhorn and Michael O'Keeffe