Brian O’Flaherty was just yards away from the World Trade Center, working at the New York City Fire Department’s command post inside the Marriott Hotel, when the South Tower collapsed on Sept. 11, 2001, killing hundreds and leaving him seriously injured.
More than two decades later, the retired battalion chief and US Navy veteran from Rockville Centre died Saturday, Dec. 3, at the age of 80, his obituary said.
O’Flaherty's death stemmed from illness contracted from the toxic exposure at Ground Zero, according to the 9/11 Rescue Workers & Friends Forum (RWFF) Facebook page.
Born and raised in Queens, O’Flaherty graduated from Martin Van Buren High School before enlisting in the Navy, where he worked on submarines, his memorial said. After his military service, he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY), beginning his career in Brooklyn at Ladder 105 before being promoted to lieutenant at Ladder 102, according to his obituary.