An FDNY firefighter who spent months at ground zero was honored in Garden City South on Saturday with a street renamed after him.
Roxbury Road South was renamed in memory of FDNY Firefighter James J. Cody, Jr. – the block he grew up on.
The 62-year-old firefighter died of 9/11-related respiratory illness on Sept. 21, 2021. He spent eight months at ground zero searching tirelessly for colleagues and civilian victims.
“It's in honor of a man who gave everything,” said Bernadette Cody, James’ wife. “He gave everything to everyone. Just a great, great man.”
The number of FDNY firefighters who've died from 9/11-related illnesses surpassed 300 this year. Advocates say the losses will continue to mount and so will the medical bills. They're asking Congress for $3 billion to $4 billion to go toward the World Trade Center Health Program, which is expected to run out of funds by 2025.
"The sad part about it is, our group with Jimmy – there were other men in the group and they're all gone," added first responder Michael Ballone. "I'm the last guy."