Washington Heights FDNY Captain Added To 9/11 Memorial

WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, NY — A firefighter and captain formerly based in a Washington Height's fire station had his name added to the Fire Department's World Trade Center Memorial Wall Wednesday, almost a year after he died from an illness stemming from the September 11 attacks.

FDNY Captain Dennis Gilhooly was based at Engine 67 on 518 West 170th Street for the majority of his 23-year career, which lasted from 1981 until his retirement in 2004, according to his obituary.

Gilhooly died in November 2019 from a form of cancer related to his service at the World Trade Center in the days and months after the attack.

The late FDNY captain grew up in the Bronx's Fordham Road area, before graduating from Fordham University in 1974 and starting his decades-long career in public service.

Gilhooly is survived by his wife Laura, three children, six grandchildren, and five siblings.

In a ceremony Wednesday, the FDNY added the names of 27 department employees to its memorial wall for those who died from illnesses relating to their work in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center following the 2001 attacks.

We lost another FDNY brother to 9/11 illness. Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Retired Captain Dennis M. Gilhooly of Engine Company 67.#343andcounting #200andcounting #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/CbVDcWhmCw
— RayPfeiferFoundation (@RayPfeiferFDTN) December 4, 2019

The ceremony took place at the FDNY headquarters in downtown Brooklyn, and was the first time the memorial wall was expanded since it was first installed in 2011.

At least 226 FDNY employees have died from illnesses related to the 9/11 attacks, the FDNY said. Adverse health effects from the toxic dust released when the World Trade Center towers collapsed have included several types of cancer, asthma, respiratory disease and pulmonary disease, as well as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

"Our Department made a solemn promise to never forget the bravery and sacrifice of the 343 members who gave their lives on September 11th, and the growing list of heroes who have died due to illnesses related to their courageous work throughout the rescue and recovery effort," Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro said in a statement.

"Though we are unable to join in person this year to remember these 27 extraordinary individuals, we still pause to honor that promise by ensuring their memory lives on with their inclusion on our World Trade Center memorial wall."

Patch reporter Nick Garber contributed to this report.