A heroic Irish firefighter who served during 9/11 and worked at the scene of the destruction, has died from cancer.
Brian Masterson, originally from Longford, battled oesophageal cancer for two years before dying, at just 61 years old, according to The Irish Mirror.
Tragically, his illness has been linked to inhaling the toxic fumes at Ground Zero.
Claudia E. Thomas, Founder of the 9/11 Rescue Workers and Friends Forum Group, described Brian as "the Captain of his soul and of the hearts of those who knew him. His life was dedicated to the job he loved... and he survived several life threatening emergencies."
“But such is the mettle of one like Brian, who passed January 22, 2017, from related cancer, age 61."
The terrorist attack is still taking its toll on first responders, with 124 firefighters dying in the past 15 years; this is according to James Slevin, the President of the United Fire Authority.
He said: “As a result of the 9/11 attacks on our nation, our New York City Firefighters have been getting sick and dying in high numbers due to cancers and other diseases caused by breathing the toxic air at the World Trade Center."
“The deaths of Ret. FF. Brian Masterson and FF. Kevin Rooney are unfortunate reminders that New York City Firefighters and other first responders continue to suffer from the aftermath of 9/11."
Brian's nephew, Christopher Ferry, told The Longford Leader that Brian "fought very hard for two years and died on Sunday night with his family by his side.”
Brian was laid to rest in his adoptive home of Walden, New York, yesterday. He is survived by his wife Mary, and children Shannon, Barbara and Joseph, and granddaughter Sienna.
