Fallen Firefighter From LI Mourned: 'He's A Hero To The Last'

BAY SHORE, NY — First responders and firefighters turned out in droves on Wednesday, alongside New York City Mayor Eric Adams, to pay their respects to fallen FDNY member Jesse Gerhard. Gerhard, 33, of Long Beach, died last week after battling a fire in a three-story Queens home, FDNY said.

Funeral services took place at St. Patrick's Roman Catholic Church in Bay Shore around 12 p.m., beginning with a motorcade and officers lined up on Main Street.

Gerard suffered a "medical episode" after battling the Queens fire, and was taken to St. John's Episcopal Hospital, where he was pronounced dead, the FDNY said.

He served seven years in the FDNY, officials said. He was also a volunteer with the Islip Fire Department. Gerhard is survived by his parents, brother Casey and sister-in-law, FDNY officials said.

Adams, who spoke at the services, said that seeing Gerhard's family in the hospital the night he passed reminded him of his own family, as his brother is a former NYPD sergeant.

"Watching his mom just sit by his side. And his dad and his brother, trying to find logic and reason over losing someone so young, so innocent," said Adams. "There is no natural way to respond to this."

Adams also compared Gerhard's life to values of Jesus Christ. Gerhard was a carpenter, Adams said, and dedicated his life to helping others. He also died 33 — the same age at which Jesus is believed to have died.

Kristi Gerhard, reading a eulogy written by her husband and Gerhard's brother Casey, spoke of his endless dedication to helping others.

"You constantly would volunteer to work holidays and weekends for others with families with kids because you always thought there was more time," she said, choking up. " If there's anything I've learned is how precious every moment is. I wish I would have made more time. One more ski trip. One more night of beers. One more game."

His Ladder 134 colleague Michael Ormiston, the senior man in the firehouse, spoke of Gerhard, who, he said, had a solution for everything. He was the person who "helped whoever he could, whenever he could," and made an everlasting impact on the firehouse.

"Jesse was the bridge between the senior members and the junior members. Because of that, we have become a closer and tighter firehouse," he said. "And I thank you Jesse, you made me happy to go to work again."

Ormiston also stated that Jesse was a person who is the type of person a firefighter would describe if he was asked to build the "perfect" firefighter. He never complained, Ormiston said, and inspired others to do what they love.

"Work hard, play hard, Gerhard," he said.