NEW YORK — A retired firefighter who pulled his brother's body from the rubble at Ground Zero died Saturday of pancreatic cancer related to the Sept. 11 terror attacks, officials said.
Daniel Foley watched his firefighter brother respond to 9/11 and not come back, FDNY Lt. Mickey Conboy said. Foley promised his parents he wouldn't come home until he found his brother. He found his brother's body 11 days after the attack, but still went back to Ground Zero each day.
"He didn't stop until we all were done on that last day in May in 2002," Conboy said.
During his career as a firefighter, Foley was award three department medals for rescues he'd made, officials said. He rescued four children trapped in a back room during one blaze.
Foley retired just over a year ago.
"Danny Foley was the epitome of a great fireman," Conboy said. "Danny's left an indelible mark on all of us."
His name will now go up on a memorial wall commemorating the lives lost due to the Sept. 11 attacks. His brother's name has been on the wall since the terror attack.
Foley leaves behind five kids, ages six to 17, and a wife.
"He was everything to them," Conboy said.
In a statement, Foley's family said they never realized how the events of 9/11 would impact them for years to come.
"We must never forget the sacrifices made that day by so many, and those who continue to sacrifice," his family said in a statement. "The Foley family is determined to shed light on the continuing need for legislation, funding and public awareness to support those who continue the fight today, tomorrow and for many years to come."
This story was originally published by Aliza Chasan on WPIX in New York.
