Firefighter Keith Young, 53, dies of 9/11-related illness

Keith Young, 53, an FDNY retiree and a former Freeport Fire Department volunteer, died on March 17 of a Sept. 11-related illness.

Keith Young, 53, an FDNY retiree and a former Freeport Fire Department volunteer, died on March 17 of a Sept. 11-related illness.
COURTESY THE YOUNG FAMILY

He was known as the “firehouse chef,” after he appeared on celebrity chef Bobby Flay’s television show “Throwdown.” When he wasn’t in the kitchen, Freeport High School alumnus Keith Young, 53, was a New York City firefighter until 2016, when he retired. He died on March 17 of synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer he developed after being a first responder to the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

After graduating from Freeport High, Young earned an associate’s degree in culinary arts from Johnson & Wales University in Rhode Island. He joined the FDNY in 1998. He was also a Freeport volunteer firefighter — and a talented chef. He won three Food Network competitions, on the shows “Chopped” and “Throwdown.”

According to Young’s oldest daughter, Kaley, 24, he will be remembered for his sense of humor, and his nicknames for everyone he met. “Dad used to call me Kaber,” she said. “Everyone he met, he made laugh.”

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One Response to Firefighter Keith Young, 53, dies of 9/11-related illness

  1. Frank Carpentino August 9, 2018 at 9:17 pm #

    I am saddened to learn the news off FF Keith Young of FDNY. I never met, or knew him, but I enjoyed watching him compete on the Food Channel, As a Brother FF and Retired Fire Chief, I thank each and everyone of you brave men and women for what you do each and every day. Please be safe, and I hope that St. Florian continues to look over all of you. Once again sorry for the loss of FF Keith Young.

    In Brotherhood,

    Frank Carpentino
    Fire Chief (Ret.)

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