Brooklyn – The Gormley brothers—Raymond, Billy and Kevin—are set to follow in the footsteps of their late father, FDNY firefighter William Gormley, who answered the call at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Though they were only three years old when he rushed to the towers, the brothers grew up hearing his stories of self‑less service and later witnessing the toll that Ground Zero’s toxic dust took on his health.
From childhood memories to a shared calling
“We all, for the most part, have the same lives in a lot of ways,” Raymond said, sitting between his brothers. “The same trauma, the same upbringing, the same everything. No one understands me like these two understand me.” The siblings recall accompanying their father to countless medical appointments, never fully grasping the severity of his skin, sinus, bladder and lung cancers until his 2016 diagnosis linked the illnesses to his time at the pile.
William Gormley died in 2017, joining more than 400 fire and EMS workers who have succumbed to 9/11‑related illnesses. A Brooklyn street now bears his name near Ladder 174, the firehouse where he spent his career.
Choosing the fire service despite their father’s advice
Even though William urged his children to “work with your brain, not your hands,” the brothers felt a pull toward the fire service. “My father would always say, ‘When you get older, get a job where you sit behind a desk and write checks for people,’” Raymond recalled. Yet today, Raymond is an FDNY firefighter at Ladder 174, the very house his dad protected.
Billy, currently an EMT with the department, plans to join the fire academy this month, while Kevin has also applied to become a firefighter. The brothers say the camaraderie they witnessed after their father’s death—coworkers driving them to appointments, offering support, sharing laughter and tears—cemented their resolve.
Family support and preserving the 9/11 story
Big sister Bridget Gormley, a documentary filmmaker, has dedicated her work to preserving the stories of 9/11 survivors. Her film, “Dust: Lingering Legacy of 9/11,” explores the ongoing health impacts of toxic dust exposure. “My dad was never like, ‘You’re going to be a fireman!’ He said, ‘You’re NOT going to be a fireman!’” Bridget said, noting that the brothers’ decision was theirs alone, not forced.
The Gormley siblings say their shared experiences continue to shape their lives. “Just being there for someone on their worst day, being their hope when there’s no hope, is something special,” Raymond added.
Looking ahead
As the 25th anniversary of the attacks approaches, the brothers plan to honor their father’s memory by serving the community that supported them. Their story underscores the lasting impact of 9/11 on families and the enduring spirit of public service that defines New York’s first‑responders.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
