FDNY Engine 286 and Ladder 135 in Ridgewood, Queens is the site of a makeshift memorial in honor of fallen firefighter William Tolley, who died in the line of duty on April 20, 2017. (Credit: Charles Eckert)
Tolley’s funeral Mass will take place on Thursday at St. Martin of Tours in Bethpage on Thursday at 11 a.m.
FDNY members salute fallen FF William N. Tolley during his dignified transfer from Wyckoff Medical Center
Two foundations have since come forward to offer financial support for Tolley’s family.
The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, also known as Answer the Call, is donating $25,000 to Tolley’s family. His widow will also receive an annual stipend for the rest of her life, the organization said.
“Men and women of our police and fire departments, like William Tolley, put their lives on the line each day to keep us safe and it is our responsibility to help ensure their families have the support they need when tragedy occurs,” said Answer the Call board chairman Stephen Dannhauser. “As New Yorkers ourselves, we vow to honor Tolley and support his family from this day forward.”
The FDNY Foundation has also begun accepting donations for the newly founded Firefighter William Tolley’s Children’s Educational Fund.
Members of the FDNY saluted Tolley Thursday night as his coffin, covered by an American flag, was carried out of the hospital.
Back at Tolley’s fire company, Ladder 135, in Ridgewood, a memorial was growing, as people placed flowers and candles outside Thursday night. Tolley, of Long Island, will be honored there later on Friday at a bunting ceremony, the FDNY said.
Kate Sullivan, 37, who owns the bar next to the firehouse, K & A Bar, where Tolley and others from the company dropped by, were shocked by news of his death.
“You don’t want to believe it,” she said. “He has a little girl he loves to pieces.”
She recalled that Tolley and the other firefighters were often lending her an extra hand.
“Those guys were shoveling my snow for me,” she said. “They gave me Easter dinner on Sunday.”
Josh Darsky, 45, who works at K&A Bar, described Tolley as “a super nice guy.”
“He had a good sense of humor. He seemed like a fun-loving guy,” he said.
Joseph Kunkel, a chaplain with the New York State Chaplain Task Force, was at Tolley’s station Thursday night waiting for the firefighters to come back from the hospital.
“We’re here for when they start coming back,” he said. “Some may want to say a prayer. Some may want to talk.”
“It affects them forever,” he added. “The main thing is that this is a time you have to hold on to your faith.”
A bunting ceremony was planned for after 5 p.m. Friday outside of Ladder 135, fire officials said.
Tolley began his career at Ladder 135 in 2003 before he was reassigned to Ladder 155 in 2010, per the FDNY Foundation. He returned to Ladder 135 in 2011, where he served until his death.
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