Gravesend street renamed after fallen firefighter William 'Billy' Tropea

Friends, family and elected officials gathered Saturday to remember a fallen firefighter who served in Brooklyn for more than two decades. West 11th Street, at the corner of Highlawn Avenue in Gravesend,

News 12 Staff

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Sep 21, 2014, 2:36 AM

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Updated 3,829 days ago

Friends, family and elected officials gathered Saturday to remember a fallen firefighter who served in Brooklyn for more than two decades.

West 11th Street, at the corner of Highlawn Avenue in Gravesend, was renamed to William "Billy" Tropea Way.

Tropea grew up in Gravesend and lived on the street with his wife and children before his death in 2010.

He worked as a Coney Island firefighter for more than 20 years.

Tropea was on vacation in Italy with his family when the Sept. 11 attacks occurred in 2001. When he heard news of the attacks, he cut the trip short and returned home to help his fellow New Yorkers.

His family says he died from illness as a result of exposure to toxins at Ground Zero.

Family members, friends and neighbors were joined by other New Yorkers in a packed ceremony. Those close to Tropea describe him as an athlete, pianist and loving family man.

His family says they hope the street sign will serve as a reminder to the community of his strong spirit, in addition to all the men and women who risk their lives every day.