Community Corner

A Hero's Farewell for Fallen Garden City Park Firefighter Thomas Regan

Family, friends and fellow firefighters attended Regan's funeral at Notre Dame Roman Catholic Church.

was one quarter filled Saturday morning with firefighters from various companies across Long Island and from New York City, not to mention the friends and family of fallen Garden City Park firefighter .

Describing his father in the eulogy presented before mass, Timothy Regan said his dad "rarely got angry" and "always knew what to do in an emergency." Thomas Regan also "enjoyed an occasional cigar" and "was always laughing about something."

Regan called his father his hero and "our superman" when describing what Thomas Regan meant to his family. Timothy Regan recalled stopping at various emergencies as a child that the elder Regan wasn't even called to. Regan was excited when he and his father were able to serve together in the Garden City Park Fire Department.

Find out what's happening in New Hyde Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Regan was a longtime veteran of the fire department, having been a member of the Hillside Heights Engine Company Three for 34 years and the City of New York Fire Department for 38 years, a Garden City Park Fire Department press release said.

Thomas Regan was also described as being a very active grandfather who attended "every event" his grandchildren had from hockey games to dance recitals. He also went on family trips to Woodlock, Disney and on Disney cruises.

Find out what's happening in New Hyde Parkwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Regan discussed how active his father was, citing that "not even a hip replacement could slow him down." His father was in his 80s when he passed away after he critically injured his neck falling on some ice and snow while trying to respond to a carbon monoxide call, the release said.

The eulogy ended with Regan telling his family to honor their hero by sharing stories about Thomas Regan and "laughing as much as you can."

Reverend William Slater said the homily at the funeral mass and talked about how "firefighters are a different breed." He said that whenever there's been a need in the parish for quick medical attention, he would sometimes get a doctor or a nurse in the congregation to help, but "you're guaranteed to get a firefighter."

Slater also reflected on "how many people are alive, can hold their grandchildren because of [Thomas Regan]." He added that most of those people probably don't even know that it was Regan who came to their aid.

Three priests celebrated the mass, including Reverend Steven Hannafin, whose parents knew Thomas Regan. Hannafin said before mass ended that his father, who has since passed, was becoming a lieutenant in Ladder 23 in East Harlem when Regan was chief of that group. Regan told Hannafin's father, "One day, maybe you'll be my driver." Hannafin noted that he's sure his father now has someone to drive around in heaven.

 

Editor's Note: This story was updated to include the correct eulogizer, Timothy Regan.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here