Edward J. McDonagh Jr.

On November 12th, 2017 FDNY Lieutenant Edward J. McDonagh Jr. passed away as a result of 9/11 related illness after more than three years of fighting.

McDonagh was born to Irish immigrants and raised in Queens, New York. He and his siblings grew up heavily involved in Church, even serving as an altar boy as a child. During childhood, he enjoyed helping his father on construction sites, as well as participating in many sports. McDonagh loved baseball most of all.

After graduating high school, McDonagh enlisted in the United States Marine Corps and served in Desert Storm for four years before making his way back to his home state of New York. Upon his return to the city in 1996, McDonagh joined the FDNY on February 4th, where he was assigned to Engine Company 324 in Corona, Queens, New York. He was assigned to Ground Zero for several months following the tragic events of 9/11 to help clean the debris and rubble from the attacks in addition to his normal tours at Engine Company 324. McDonagh served the FDNY for 13 years before earning a promotion to Lieutenant in 2009. He finished his extensive career with a move to Engine Company 37 in Harlem, New York and remained there until his retirement from the FDNY on July 27th, 2016.

In 2009, McDonagh reconnected with and fell in love with his high school prom date, Kimberly, and they later married in 2010, blending their families and eventually welcoming a fifth child together. McDonagh is remembered by those who knew and loved him for his incredible sense of humor, and his resilience during his battle with cancer. His wife, Kimberly, recalls that he never let his illness affect his attitude. She described him, simply, as amazing.

FDNY Lieutenant Edward J. McDonagh Jr. is survived by his loving wife, Kimberly, and their five children.