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Hero firefighters laid to rest
Lt. Raymond Murphy
by Jon Minners
The World Trade Center tragedy changed many lives forever. As
more bodies are discovered and more funerals are held for
victims and heroes of the disaster, New Yorkers are constantly
reminded of the horrible events of September 11. On Friday,
October 5, the Throggs Neck community was reminded of the
heroism that took place that fateful day as over 4,000 people
gathered outside St. Frances de Chantal Church, 190 Hollywood
Avenue, to pay their respects to Silver Beach’s own, Lt.
Raymond Murphy of Ladder 16 in New York.
"The whole community came out for him," said Fire
Commissioner Thomas Von Essen. "What a phenomenal turnout.
You’re seeing that throughout the city. It helps the families
and they deserve it."
Murphy, 46, a firefighter for 20 years, had only been
promoted to lieutenant last year. Murphy was seen going into the
building and coming out with a woman, before going back inside,
smoke surrounding him upon his reentry, as he looked to save
more lives inside the South Tower. The building came down
burying him and fellow firefighters in the rubble, killing a
hero in the process. Firefighters, police officers, elected
officials, friends, family and neighbors turned out in droves to
say their good-byes.
"He was a kind and generous man," said Donna
Pirzinger, a former neighbor before Murphy moved to Silver
Beach. "He always said hello and had a smile on his face.
He was always with his two boys and he was kind to his
neighbors. He was definitely the kind of person who would risk
his life to save others. Obviously, God called him. He was a
special person."
Reverend Monsignor John J. O’Keefe, president of Archbishop
Stepinac High School, presided over the funeral and spoke to the
standing room only crowd inside. "My family has known the
Murphys since even before I was born," he said. "I am
a son of a New York firefighter who died in the line of duty in
1966. The connection I feel with the Murphys is very deep and
very real."
Msgr. O’Keefe further discussed Murphy’s love for the
fire department and delivered a special message to the hero’s
two sons, Sean and Ray, Jr. "Look at the department and
what it stands for," he said. "They take care of us
without any concern for their safety. These guys risk their
lives. They care that much. Ray cared that much. When we talk
about Ray, you must talk about him in the present. He will
always be there. Keep him close to your hearts. Keep his memory
close to your hearts and both of you grow up to be just like
him."
As mourners grieved and visitors cried, firefighters from
Ladder 16, where Murphy had ended his career, and Ladder 46 in
the Bronx, where Murphy had worked for so many years before his
promotion, walked to the podium and shared their thoughts.
"Six and a half months ago when Ray came to our house, it
didn’t take us long to realize what a man he was," said a
firefighter speaking on behalf of his fellow firefighter Ed
Sullivan, who was too upset to speak. "We knew what we had.
He was a keeper. Whether it was running into a burning building
to save a homeless person or a high rise to save a wealthy
person, it didn’t make any different to him. He didn’t
hesitate to go into the South Tower. We are happy to have had
him for the short amount of time that we did. I am blessed to
have known the Murphy family and proud to serve under the
leadership of Ray Murphy."
Richard Glover of Ladder 42 explained why Murphy went into
the Towers. "He was doing his job," Glover said.
"That’s what he would say. That is why he walked into
Tower Two after Tower One came down. He would tell you he did it
because people in there needed his help. That’s Ray. Right
now, he’d just say, ‘continue on, think about him, think
about all the good days.’"
His brother Eddie thanked many of the people who he felt
completed his brother’s life. "Linda, you were the best
thing that ever happened to our brother," Eddie said to
Ray’s wife, before turning attention to the firefighters.
"To the firemen he loved so much, I salute you. If you
asked him how it felt to be a hero, he’d say, ‘Don’t ask
me. I didn’t do anything.’ He’d point to his fellow
firefighters and say, ‘They are the real heroes.’ I’ll
point for Ray. Stand and salute the men who Ray called his
brothers." As the crowd cheered the firefighters, Eddie
said some final thoughts to ponder. "Lord, teach us how to
laugh again," he said, "but never forget why we
cried."
As many walked out of the church, tears in their eyes, and
memories of Murphy still in their hearts, the bagpipes played
and the casket was loaded onto the fire engine to be taken to
Gates of Heaven Cemetery in Valhalla, New York as a stream of
limousines traveled behind. As others watched the events
transpire before them, many understood why so many people
gathered to say goodbye. Vincent Jordan lost his brother in the
World Trade Center attack, but could not be stopped from paying
his respects to the hero firefighter. "He was going to save
my brother’s life," he said, "just like he was
trying to save everyone else’s."
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