Edward Meehan in an undated photo
By Ray O’Hanlon
The death has taken place of FDNY Lieutenant Edward Meehan, who had been battling cancer stemming from his rescue work at the World Trade Center in the days and weeks after 9/11.
Lieutenant Meehan was honored at the Irish Echo’s First Responders Awards last November. His illness, however, prevented him from attending.
Meehan’s funeral will take place on Thursday, February 8, at 11.30 at St. Anthony’s Church, 36 West Nyack Road, Nanuet in Rockland County, NY. A wake will be held Wednesday at the Wyman-Fischer Funeral Home, 100 Franklin Avenue in Pearl River.
Though he did not attend the First Responders gathering, Lt. Meehan, who would have been 60 this coming May, did respond to the questionnaire for award winners.
In answer to the question as to why he chose his career, Lt. Meehan responded: “I knew that being a fire fighter is an honorable and prestigious profession that is not compensated with currency as much as it generates other rewards. It is in the pride of accomplishment and the joy or relief of those we help that we count as our remuneration.”
In response to the question asking what was the proudest moment of his career he stated: “When I was promoted to Lieutenant in the FDNY. It was an important day after years of study and sacrifice by my family and I.”
Meehan was a native New Yorker and member of the FDNY Emerald Society.
He began his service in July, 1983 with Ladder 45 and was later transferred to Ladder 23.
He was promoted to Lieutenant on July 15, 1995 after which worked in different companies around the city before being based with Ladder 22 in Manhattan where he would spend most of his career years.
He chose to spend the final months of his career teaching at the FDNY Academy.
