Memorial for Lieutenant Kevin W. Donnelly
By Harry Loud
A Memorial Mass was held for Lieutenant Kevin W. Donnelly of Ladder Company 3, FDNY on Saturday, Oct. 6 at the St. Francis de Chantal Church in Wantagh. Lieutenant Kevin W. Donnelly - Ladder Co. 3 - FDNY. Photo by Harry Loud Donnelly was a member of the Wantagh Fire Department, having joined in October of 1976. He served with honor, assigned to Rescue Company 2 and later with Engine Company 4. He resigned in April 1989. On July 14, 1979, Donnelly was appointed to the New York City Fire Department where he was assigned to Engine Company 222 (Triple Deuce), located in Brooklyn. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in January of 1994 and assigned to Ladder Company 3 (Recon Truck) in Manhattan. There he served with pride and honor until his untimely passing at the World Trade Center. During his tenure with the New York City Fire Department, Donnelly operated with or directed units that attained six "Unit Citations." In addition he was the recipient of four medals for "Acts of Heroism and Bravery." The words "back out" were not in his vocabulary. It was always "move in" and "a little further and we got this fire." Before lawn care was the "in thing," KD's Lawn Service operated in the Levittown/Wantagh area. Many a home was serviced by him and his crew and many high school students attained summer jobs by working for him. Whether he needed them or not, he would always try to find a place for a young man to earn a few dollars. His mother Cecilia and father Edward, two brothers Edward and Brian, a sister Mary and longtime companion Mary Coughlin of Mineola survive Mr. Donnelly.

Return to Kevin's Home Page