By Jackie Roman
nj.com
NEWARK, N.J. — Hundreds of uniformed firefighters and law enforcement officers from throughout New Jersey somberly gathered at Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark on Thursday to recall the life of city native and firefighter Augusto “Augie” Domingos Acabou.
Acabou, 45, and fellow firefighter Wayne “Bear” Brooks Jr., 49, were killed on July 5 after becoming trapped in a huge fire that broke out about aboard the Grande Costa D’Avorio, a cargo ship carrying vehicles that was docked in Port Newark. A funeral mass for Brooks is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday at the church.
Acabou, a lifelong resident of Newark’s Ironbound section and nearly 10-year member of city’s fire department, leaves behind a tight-knit Portuguese family, which includes his surviving parents, as well as two brothers and a nephew. Acabou was also engaged and living with his fiancée.
Before the mass, grieving friends and family of Acabou could be heard crying out as his casket, cloaked in an American flag, was lowered and taken off the back of a Newark firetruck.
The casket was escorted past dozens of rows of uniformed officers and firefighters, all standing at attention. The sound of bagpipes and drums echoed through the city’s streets shortly before 10 a.m.
Inside the church, a livestream showed hundreds more mourners. Acabou’s firefighting uniform, a reminder of his service and ultimate sacrifice, was displayed at the front of the church.
Watch: Funeral held for first of two N.J. FFs killed in cargo ship blaze
Newark firefighter Augusto Acabou and fellow firefighter Wayne Brooks Jr. were killed after they were trapped inside a burning cargo ship
“Our city mourns grievously for one of our heroes — a Newark boy that made his way here with a proud and close-knit family and found a noble and honorable profession,” said Newark Mayor Ras Baraka during Thursday’s funeral service.
“We close our eyes and bow our heads collectively as one city, knowing that this man that we lay to rest here today was one of the very best amongst us,” Baraka said.
Acabou attended the Newark’s East Side High School in the early 1990s and became a valued member of the football team during his time there. Although he was a “scrawny kid” compared to the other players, Acabou had heart, recalled football coach Kevin Bullock.
Acabou never missed a practice or a training session in the weight room. And he would always stay late to help clean up, Bullock said.
After Acabou graduated East Side High School in 1996, he remained close with his old football coach. Decades later, when Bullock was diagnosed with cancer, Acabou called him every day.
“That’s just the way ‘Augie’ was,” said Bullock. “And if you didn’t get a chance to meet him, I feel bad for you. Because that man was a joy.”
Acabou was known for “entertaining all around him by singing and playing guitar, playing practical jokes, doing impressions, and basically doing anything that would garnish a laugh and a smile,” according to his obituary.
“His loss leaves a void that can never be filled. His presence will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all the lives he touched,” Acabou’s obituary reads.
Acabou was a longtime employee of Hackensack Meridian Health John F. Kennedy University Medical Center Hospital, where he began working in 1997, first in the linen department and later transitioning into a security officer position, which he held till his death.
Acabou became a Newark firefighter in 2013 and was assigned to a position with Engine 16.
“Firefighters are a different breed. They run to danger,” said Newark Public Safety Director Fritz Fragé. “Augie paid the ultimate sacrifice.”
In recognition of his years of service and impact, Fragé said on Thursday the city was posthumously promoting Acabou to the rank of captain.
Newark Firefighters Union Vice President Eddie Paulo, who grew up with Acabou, said that while “our sadness is deep and our loss is profound, let’s find peace knowing that this must be God’s plan.”
“We’re going to get through this together because we are Newark strong,” said Paulo. “Augie, my brother, I love you man. I’m going to miss you tremendously. We’ll take it from here.”
©2023 Advance Local Media LLC.
Visit nj.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.