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Retired Blissville Firefighter Dies From 9/11-Related Cancer

Michael T. McDonald, a retired firefighter who spent his career in Blissville. He died on Aug. 14 of 9/11-related cancer. (UFA)

Aug. 20, 2018 By Nathaly Pesantez

A retired firefighter who spent his career in a Blissville firehouse has died of a 9/11-related illness.

Michael T. McDonald, who worked at Ladder Company 128 at 33-51 Greenpoint Ave., died on Aug. 14 of 9/11-related cancer, according to the Uniformed Firefighters Association.

His wake and funeral will be held next week in Lake Ronkonkoma in Suffolk County.

McDonald, 64, died of lung and brain cancer, according to the Daily News.

He joined the FDNY in 1984 and retired in 2012, according to the FDNY, after spending his entire career at the BlIssville firehouse, nicknamed “tombstone territory” given its location across the street from Calvary Cemetery.

The Blissville firehouse at 33-51 Greenpoint Ave. (Google Maps)

“Michael’s long illustrious career as a member of the FDNY was matched by few and this Warrior will be mourned by all in the 9/11 Community as we offer our shoulders to our Brothers & Sisters in the FDNY,” said John Feal, founder of the Feal Good Foundation that advocates for first responders, on Facebook.

McDonald is the 181st member of the FDNY to die from a 9/11-related illness, according to the UFA.

McDonald is the second firefighter from the Blissville firehouse to die from 9/11-related causes, after Paul Santoro, who died in 2016.

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IsEveryoneAJerk?

Wow. All these ‘down votes’ for a simple thank you to a guy who gave his entire life helping a community?

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