Ray Pfeifer, Crusader For 9/11 Health Benefits, Gets Hero's Goodbye At Funeral

Story posted on June 2, 2017: Family, friends and first responders came to Long Island on Friday to pay tribute to Ray Pfeifer, a Long Island resident who campaigned to give first responders necessary medical coverage following 9/11, after he passed away on Sunday.

Pfeifer, 59, a Hicksville resident, battled 9/11-related cancer for more than eight years. He was an active member of the East Meadow Fire Department and served as an ex-captain of Engine Co. 3.

Among those in attendance was former “The Daily Show” host and good friend Jon Stewart, who offered words of remembrance.

“The irony here is, Ray would have loved a day like today where people from all over — the town, city, the country — pay respect to a man who did right,” Stewart said.

He said Pfeifer would have sat in the back of Holy Family Church funeral home in Hicksville and say, “What, did Lincoln die?”

“And we’d say, ‘No Ray, it’s for you,'" Stewart said. "And he’d say, ‘I’m just a kid from Levittown.’ It’s almost like he didn’t know how special he was."

Stewart and Pfeifer became friends two years ago after they partnered up to lobby for the James Zadroga Bill in Washington, D.C.

Stewart looked back fondly on his relationship with Pfeifer. His voice broke at the end of his eulogy when he said he would carry a prayer card with him, just like Pfeifer would, to keep the memory of his friend alive.

Pfeifer’s sister Maryellen McKee and FDNY Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano also offered words of remembrance.

“Ray was a firefighter through and through,” Cassano said. “He was a mentor and a role model for the younger firefighters in his house.”

After the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2011, Pfeifer spent countless hours searching and digging to rescue as many people as he could, Cassano said.

Pfeifer fought hard to get the James Zadroga Bill passed through Congress and led the march through Washington, D.C.

Pfeifer fought that battle to get coverage not for himself but for everyone who was at the 9/11 attacks that day, Cassano said.

Watch a video of the funeral service here:

A Firefighter Collation was held following the service at East Meadow Fire Station 4, located at 4 Bobreed Lane.

Also in attendance at the funeral was New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano.

Flags on all Nassau County government buildings will be flown at half-staff from Tuesday, May 30 through sunset on June 5 in honor of Pfeifer.

Patch photos