New Hyde Park Wildcats Roundup By Rosemarie Cavallaro

Celebration of Life for Firefighter Michael F. Lynch - 'A Born Leader'

By Bernadette Raffety

On Nov. 24, over 2,000 family, friends, firefighters and the New Hyde Park community gathered at Notre Dame R.C. Church to pay an emotional tribute to FDNY Firefighter Michael F. Lynch. Firefighter Lynch (age 33), a NHP resident as are many family members, was one of the 343 FDNY firefighters who heroically lost their lives in the World Trade Center disaster on Sept. 11.

At the Celebration of Life Mass, Lynch was praised by his father, brother and sisters, fellow firefighters, and NY City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. Michael's father, Daniel, said "From an early age, he always got the job done, no matter what the task." His sister Bernadette Rafferty, remembered how much Michael loved his wife Denise and two sons, little Michael and Jack. "He enjoyed being a daddy and had just bought little Michael sneakers for his first day at nursery school on Sept. 12. He was looking forward to that walk. I know he was walking right next to his family that day and will be for the rest of their lives."

Firefighter Michael Lynch

Another sister, Rory Pumilia, said "through her brother's life and death, she finally knows what a true hero is." His brother, Danny, also hailed him for his devotion to his wife and two sons. His sister, Barbara McManus, read tributes from sister, Maureen Ludwicki, and friends.

Firefighter Russ Regan, who worked with Lynch at Ladder 4, in Midtown Manhattan, told the congregation how Lynch was "saving people trapped in an elevator in the lobby of Tower 2, while a fire was raging in the shaft below. He had already rescued the people who could fit through a small opening and was last seen running back into the building with the "jaws of life" cutting tool to rescue others. Tower 2 collapsed 15 minutes later, enough time for Lynch to save more lives."

Mayor Giuliani referred to him as "Lieutenant Michael Lynch" a "born leader" who was destined to become a leader in the department. He announced Lynch was posthumously promoted from firefighter to lieutenant since he was already on the list of pending promotions. He spoke to little Michael and Jack and stated "no one can take their father away from them. He will live on in them and they are also destined for great things." Before the mayor spoke, Lynch's 7-year-old nephew, Danny Coster, read a poem and concluded by telling the mayor: "Sorry Mayor Guliani, but Uncle Mike and me were the best Met fans." Mayor Guliani, an avid Yankee fan, joked back they could be forgiven.

The emotional ceremony ended outside the church with the FDNY pipe band playing the Minstrel Boy and little Michael wearing his Dad's fireman hat while NYPD helicopters flew overhead in a missing man formation. A fitting tribute to a hero's life.

Back to Mike's Home Page