Gerry Walsh was many things. He was a dedicated husband, proud father, involved member of the East Meadow community, decorated FDNY firefighter, and above all, a hero in every sense of the word.
When Gerry heard of the terrorist attacks on 9/11, it didn’t matter that he had retired from the FDNY two months prior. He rushed to the scene and spent months digging through the rubble, aiding in the rescue efforts. He slept at the station, attended funerals for the fallen and stood side by side with his fellow firefighters.
Gerry’s legacy was honored Saturday, Sept. 12 as the Town of Hempstead held a street dedication ceremony for the brave firefighter who passed away in November 2014 as a result of blood cancer caused by exposure to carcinogens at the 9/11 site. Joined by members of Gerry’s family, the FDNY and dozens of community residents, the town renamed Birchwood Drive in Salisbury, the street in front of his family’s home, Firefighter Gerry Walsh Drive.
“We will never forget heroes like Gerry,” said Town Supervisor Kate Murray. “By remembering and celebrating their lives, we weave grief, pain and sorrow into strength, courage and connection.”
Gerry lived in Westbury his whole life, attending Clarke High School which is where he met his future wife, Hope. The two raised their daughters Christine and Katelynn in Salisbury and Gerry was an active member of the local community. He spent two decades with the FDNY before retiring from Ladder 126 in Jamaica in July 2001.
Those who knew him described him as generous, always willing to help and as having a magnetic personality. And all of them agreed he was a true hero and dedicated firefighter.
“I could count on him to give his best all the time, every time,” said Joe Connor from the FDNY, who said others in the firehouse always looked up to Gerry. “He was a true American hero. I am so honored and proud to say I knew him and worked with him. This world and all of us here today are a little better for knowing Gerry and having him be a part of our lives.”
Gerry’s daughter Christine said her father was a hero in all walks of life.
“He always loved what he did, he was so proud to be a fireman,” Christine said. “His first instinct (on Sept. 11) was to head there to help his FDNY brothers. He searched for months, not because it was his job, but he felt it was his duty. He never for one second regretted going there.”
Christine said years ago, Gerry had joked about having a street named after him. Now, a sign will mark his bravery, service and commitment to his community for years to come.
“The pain of his absence will never ease and the amount I miss him will never change, but now I can look out my window and see this sign and be reminded I was not only loved by him, but how much continued support we receive from the community,” said Katelynn. “That is something my dad would have loved to see.”
