Fallen FDNY firefighter Timothy Klein being mourned at pair of wakes
Klein is being remembered for what he did both on and off duty
CANARSIE, Brooklyn (WABC) -- Family, friends and fellow firefighters are beginning the final farewell to one of New York City's bravest Thursday.
A pair of wakes are being held for FDNY Firefighter Timothy Klein from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the McManus Funeral Home in Marine Park, Brooklyn.
Firefighter Klein, who died Sunday while fighting a fire in Canarsie, is being remembered for what he did both on and off duty.
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The 31-year-old firefighter, a six-year FDNY veteran, was also a carpenter on the side and worked with a foundation called Fight for Firefighters.
In one example, Klein was instrumental in making life-changing adjustments to the Long Island home of a 12-year-old boy who has Cerebral Palsy.
"They're selfless, and they just want to help people," 12-year-old Finley Kirrane said. "They don't want to help themselves."
The organization is made up of dozens of first responders who help improve accessibility for those in need.
"It hurts us tremendously," said the boy's father, FDNY Lt. Jack Kirrane. "It's a really tough period right now."
Klein was known to give selflessly, the son of a retired firefighter who followed in his father's footsteps.
"He just inspired all of us," FDNY Firefighter Brian Pabon said. "Whatever he said, it meant more than if it was coming from somebody else."
So many others are now speaking to Klein's character, including his high school basketball coach at Archbishop Molloy High School.
"He was all about the team, he was a team player, Tim," Coach Edward Shannon said. "When you wanted him on the court, he was going to do for you what you needed him to do. And then you see, he took that on to the next level when he went to the fire department."
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The family of Steven Pollard came to pray and offer condolences Thursday night. Firefighter Pollard died three years ago while responding to a car accident and Klein spoke at his funeral.
A funeral mass will be held Friday at 11 a.m. at St. Francis de Sales Church on Rockaway Beach Boulevard in Belle Harbor, Queens.
Another young man also died in that fire, 21-year-old Carlos Richards, whom Klein was presumably trying to save.
Richards' family is also planning a funeral and is asking for privacy.
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