A 43-year-old former chief of the Inwood Fire Department who died of injuries suffered while helping fight a house fire in Woodmere recently will be laid to rest this week.
Thousands of mourners are expected to pay their respects to Joseph Sanford, Jr., who died on Dec. 23 after he was wounded battling a blaze on Dec. 19.
Wake services for the fallen firefighter are scheduled for 1-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church, which is located at 68 Wanser Ave. in Inwood.
During the second session, members of the Inwood Fire Department will march in procession down Wanser Avenue to the Church from their firehouse a few blocks to the west at 6:45 p.m.
The procession will be followed by firematic memorial services and fellow volunteer firefighters from across Long Island and the region giving a final salute.
His funeral will be held at the same church at 9 a.m. Wednesday.
In recognition of the firefighter, who was also a Nassau County employee, County Executive Ed Mangano ordered flags at half-staff until Jan. 30.
