Funeral for Fallen FDNY Firefighter Patrick Brady
Patrick Brady, a dedicated FDNY firefighter, was honored as a hero during his funeral on Saturday. The service, held in Queens, drew family, friends, and thousands of fellow firefighters who gathered to mourn the loss of their comrade.
Brady, 42, had served the FDNY for 11 years and suffered a fatal heart attack on November 8 while working to extinguish a fire on the roof of a six-story apartment building in Brownsville.
His casket was escorted through Bell Harbor in a fire truck procession, accompanied by the FDNY Emerald Society pipes and drums, to St. Francis de Sales Church, a place of significance for the community.
Attending the service were Brady’s widow, Kara Jankei, who was visibly emotional alongside two firefighters, and his family, including his brothers Jimmy and Brian, both of whom are also firefighters.
First Deputy Mayor Randy Maestro and New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch were present among the thousands who paid their respects.
His firehouse, Ladder 120, hosted a bunting ceremony the day before, honoring Brady’s passion for his work with a display of mourning outside their station.
“His dedication to this fire department was only surpassed by his love for his wife, Carla,” shared Jake Toohey, Brady’s close friend and co-worker, in a heartfelt moment following the ceremony.
Fire department leaders spoke highly of Brady’s contributions. “You could sense there was something off with Pat,” FDNY Captain Scott Coyne recalled the day after Brady’s passing. He emphasized how Brady led by example, always looking out for younger firefighters.
As the service unfolded, his community felt the weight of their loss deeply. In Breezy Point, where Brady lived, many wore memorial ribbons, and some planted them on local trees as a tribute. One resident, Linda Romanto, expressed the collective grief felt throughout the block, stating, “It would be nice to be able to express our feelings to them.”
Patrick Brady is remembered as the 1,163rd FDNY member to lose his life in the line of duty and the second this year. Just weeks prior, another dedicated paramedic and U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Salif Abdul Rahman, passed away after completing his shift at the fire academy.
