Today is the birthday of FDNY firefighter John McAvoy of Ladder 3. He was born on September 17, 1953, and would have been 68 years old today. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that he made on September 11, 2001.
Ode to my brother John
by Michael McAvoy
To know my brother John is to have an opinion of him. He was steadfast in his convictions and never wavered from them.
My opinion of John, and I am sure everyone here would agree, he gave a lot more of himself then he received. I don’t think it is a stretch to say that John put all of us ahead of himself. His helping hands and warm heart touched many of us gathered here and countless people even he did not know.
John was my older brother, a label he wore with much honor. John took the older brother responsibility very seriously. I always felt confident and secure knowing John was there. If I had a problem, it was his problem too. He never gave up on me when there were times I gave up on myself. Part of me wanted to grow out from under his wings, most of me wanted and needed his care, guidance and protection, not to mention his delicious linguine and clam sauce.
John was more than a hero firefighter, a doting husband, a caring father, a loving son, a tireless hockey coach and a protective older brother. He was the cook at the annual family picnic. He was also everyone’s “Mr. Fix It.”
His love for his fellow man and the passion with which he lived his life, I truly admire. John McAvoy was bigger than life itself. Shoes many of us could never fill. He was the dream son every parent would cherish. Parents who have a few children, say they don't have a favorite. I can easily say that he was the overwhelming favorite, he is my favorite too!!
John, if it hadn’t been for growing up with you, I wouldn’t be the person I am today. I want you to know how much I admire your courage, respect you as a man and love you as a brother. Thanks for all the love, laughter and protection you have given all of us. John thanks for being you.
The pain is universal
Be assured that the pain felt for the lost brothers of Ladder 3 is universal and is sorely felt far away. For me and my family it is somewhat sentimentally a shared pain. You see I too am a McAvoy and so I too feel that I have lost one of our own.
Years ago my Grandfather (from County Laois) told me that I was related to all the McAvoy’s all over the world. A visit a few years back to McAvoy’s pub outside of Dublin convinced me that he was right as we were truly treated like long lost cousins. (With proper amounts of Jamesons’ I might add). So when I learned of the loss of Firefighter John McAvoy I truly felt a twinge of personal pain. As I read more about him and his life I came to feel that I knew him and believe it or not saw traits that I’d seen in other McAvoy’s.
Then as I continued to read about all of the wonderful men of Ladder 3 who we lost that day the pain became almost overwhelming for me. What magnificent men they were. What true heroes all. Truly our earth has been blessed to have them with us for much to short a time. For our family the connection with the losses in FDNY grew when we learned of the passing of Firefighter Steven Coakley. You see we are Coakleys too. In fact my great grandfather Coakley and his brother were lifelong firefighters in New Jersey.
We have been so touched by all of this that this year my wife and I are coming to spend Christmas in New York. We want to come to Ladder 3 to say from the bottom of our hearts, thank you and our hearts and our prayers are with you and we share your grief and that of your families. We hope that you will permit us to visit you and to deliver our feelings in person. We particularly extend our deepest sympathy to the family of John McAvoy.
As I look out over the Chesapeake bay, where we live, the heavens seem to be a little brighter. And I'm sure they are because I’m certain that there are at least 12 new stars brightly shining there, one for each of the men from Ladder 3.
Thank you for all that you do. take care and God Bless!!
Most sincerely,
Elizabeth and Jim McAvoy