Frederick Gallagher, ex-FDNY firefighter from LI, dies of WTC illness

A retired FDNY firefighter from West Islip who assisted in rescue efforts at the World Trade Center died Tuesday from 9/11-related cancer, according to his family.

Frederick "Freddy" H. Gallagher was 61.

Gallagher was diagnosed with cancer about two and a half years ago, according to his parents, Lillian and Frederick W. Gallagher, also of West Islip. The cancer originated in Gallagher’s colon, liver and lungs but had spread to the rest of his body by the time he was diagnosed, they said.

"When the towers came down, he spent a lot of time down there," said Frederick W. Gallagher, also a retired FDNY member. "There is a brotherhood in the FDNY and it is mind-boggling how close these guys are. He was down there every day he could be."

Lillian Gallagher remembered her son as a "tough, tough man" intent on comforting his family even as he was dying.

"He said, ‘Mom, I don’t even feel sick,’" the grieving mother said Thursday. "What a blessing that was."

Frederick H. Gallagher, an FDNY firefighter for 28 years, started his career with Engine Co. 290 and later joined Ladder Co. 103, both in Brooklyn.

He was also a longtime member of the football staff at St. Anthony’s High School in South Huntington, eventually becoming the team’s offensive coordinator. In his younger days, Gallagher played fullback at West Islip High School.

The FDNY says 273 firefighters have died from 9/11 related illnesses.

Besides his parents, survivors include his wife, Ellen; and siblings, Michael Gallagher, Kerry Walsh, Brian Gallagher, and Jeannine Kirschbaum.

Frederick Gallagher’s wake will be held at the Frederick J. Chapey & Sons Funeral Home in West Islip on Saturday and Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. both days

A funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Monday at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in West Islip. Interment will follow at St. Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale.

With Keldy Ortiz