FDNY Lt. Richard Nappi Remembered At Funeral In Lake Ronkonkoma
LAKE RONKONKOMA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) - A sad farewell took place on Saturday for an FDNY firefighter who lost his life after suffering cardiac arrest while battling a three-alarm fire in Brooklyn last Monday.
Sadness was over The Church of Saint Elizabeth in Lake Ronkonkoma, Long Island as the flag-draped coffin of FDNY Lt. Richard Nappi was brought into the church. His wife and two children -- aged 11 and 12 -- slowly followed along with hundreds of family members and friends.
WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported
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Neighbor Joan McGeever quietly sobbed outside, reported WCBS 880's Sophia Hall.
"He was a wonderful guy," McGeever told Hall. "I can't even say enough. He was so good to my kids and his kids and his wife, Mary Anne. My heart aches for her, I can't imagine."
CBS 2's John Schriffen was present as Mayor Michael Bloomberg delivered a eulogy and spoke about how dedicated the 47-year-old was not only to the FDNY for 17 years, but to his family.
"We will not forget your husband and everything he did for all of us," Bloomberg said as he looked at Mary Anne.
The mayor also talked about how the lieutenant rushed to the city from his home on Long Island on September 11th, and delivered a message to the fallen hero's children.
"I lost my father, as well," Bloomberg told Catherine and Nicholas Nappi. "I was a little bit older than you when I did. Your father rushed to the firehouse for weeks on end, working amid the smoking rubble of the World Trade Center."
A scholarship fund has been established for Nappi's children.
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