By Leila Merrill
NEW YORK — Three retired FDNY members who participated in rescue and recovery efforts after the Sept. 11 attack on the World Trade Center died over Memorial Day weekend, according to the FDNY Family Assistance Unit.
“In the days leading up to the 20th anniversary of the end of the recovery efforts at ground zero, three FDNY firefighters lost their battles with World Trade Center-related illness,” said Andrew Ansbro, president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association, the New York Post reported.
Retired Supervising Fire Marshall John “Jack” McCauley died of a WTC-related illness Saturday. His funeral is scheduled for Thursday.
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Retired Firefighter Robert J. Reynolds, who had been assigned to Engine 96, also died on Saturday of a WTC-related illness. He served with FDNY for 20 years.
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Retired Firefighter Michael Verzi, who had been assigned to Engine Company 97, died of a WTC-related illness on Sunday. He had a 25-year tenure with FDNY. His funeral will be on Friday.
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“We will never forget Firefighter Robert Reynolds, Firefighter Michael Verzi, and Supervising Fire Marshal Jack McCauley, who have been taken from us far too soon,” Ansbro said. “For many New Yorkers, those horrible days are long past, but for those of us that lived through it, we continue to lose friends and family, and will continue to care for those that have been sickened.”