Loved ones and fellow firefighters paid their respects Friday to one of their own.

Retired firefighter Michael Duffy dies this past Tuesday after suffering from several Sept. 11-related illnesses.

Lifelong friends says that even amid all the danger and gloom that comes from the job, they could always rely on Duffy to put everyone at ease.

His time at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11 attacks likely resulted in the two forms of cancer with which he was diagnosed. Duffy died just a day after the 15th anniversary of his retirement from the department. He was a 20-year veteran.

Duffy's funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning and will be followed by a Mass.