Honours for courageous firefighter Ian
By Laura Lyne
A PROCESSION of honour followed beloved firefighter Ian “Frodo” McCormack to his final resting place in the Newland’s Cemetery on Tuesday following a courageous three-year battle with cancer.
Ian passed away last Friday, February 19 surrounded by his family in Our Lady’s Hospice in Harold’s Cross after fulfilling his life-long dream of visiting New York last October, where he became an honorary member of the New York Fire Department.
His funeral took place in St Bernadette’s Church in Crumlin on Tuesday, with an honour guard from the Dublin Fire Brigade formed for his arrival.
Following the funeral, a procession of hundreds of fire-fighters from across Dublin, Ian’s wife Gemma and his three children and family followed Ian from Tallaght Fire Station to Newland’s Cross Cemetery as he embarked on his last journey on a fire truck.
Ian, who lived in Lucan, joined Dublin Fire Brigade in June 2005 and carried badge number 1170 as part of the B Watch in the Dolphin’s Barn Fire Station.
Fondly known by his colleagues as Frodo, he received great support following his diagnosis with a fundraiser to help him live out his dream of visiting New York City.
During his trip to New York back in October, Ian was chaperoned around the city by his colleagues in the New York Fire Department, experienced a boat cruise around Manhattan and got to watch the New York Giants play American football.
He was also presented with a piece of steel from the World Trade Centre during a ceremony to make him an honorary member of the NYFD.
As reported in The Echo back in September, numerous events were held to help raise the €10,000 required to help him make the journey, including a charity cycle from Nutgrove Fire Station in Rathfarnham.
Ian’s sister-in-law Liz Hanley told The Echo back in September that Ian and his family had received “a lot of support” from Dublin Fire Brigade throughout Ian’s illness.
Hundreds of messages and reactions from friends and supporters across the world were posted onto the DFB Facebook page in remembrance of Ian following his passing.
In a post about his passing, Dublin Fire Brigade said Ian was a “true gent and character” and that “he will be sorely missed by all his friends within the DFB”.
READ MORE:
