Retired FDNY Firefighter, 9/11 Responder Dies from COVID-19

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A retired FDNY firefighter and 9/11 first responder died from complications of COVID-19 last week.

Anthony Iraci, 48, had been experiencing respiratory issues, as well as a cough and fever, for the past two weeks and was being treated at Richmond University Medical Center in Staten Island, his wife, Melissa, told the Staten Island Advance. As his breathing problems worsened, he was placed in the hospital's intensive care unit, and he died Friday.

Iraci, who also was a former NYPD detective, went to the emergency room March 16 when he began experiencing his problems. Because of his time spent working at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, Iraci's respiratory and immune systems had been weakened, and he immediately was put in a mask when he entered the hospital.

"The doctors at RUMC told me how bad his lungs were, and they were waiting for the results of the coronavirus test," Melissa Iraci told the Advance.

Visitor restrictions during the pandemic meant Melissa never saw her husband during his 12-day stay at the hospital. The couple was able to communicate via text until he was put on a ventilator.

"I never got to see him again, or give him encouragement to get better," she told the Advance. "The pain and shock are not going away."

Despite being cut off from her husband, Melissa stayed in close contact with Anthony's care team during the entire time. In fact, she praised the work done by the doctors and nurses treating Anthony.

"The ICU medical team were amazing, and I know they did everything for him they possibly could," she told the Advance. "It's a terrible disease with no cure."

"They believed he could hear me even though he was asleep, so they relayed my messages to him," added Melissa.

The Iracis have an 18-year-old daughter, Alexa, who attends Wagner College, and a 15-year-old son, Anthony Jr. The family also has three dogs named after favorite vacation spots: Disney, Jeckyll, and Hershey.

"They keep barking because they miss him," she told the Advance.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help the family pay for any unexpected expenses. It was set up with a starting goal of $20,000, and as of Monday afternoon, it has raised more than $25,000.