Bruce “Brew” Foss was born in Brooklyn, New York, on April 29, 1955, and later moved with his family to Freeport, Long Island. After graduating from Freeport High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy and was honorably discharged in 1975. Upon returning, he met his wife, Mary, and they were married in 1978.

Bruce was appointed to the FDNY in 1981 and assigned to Engine 216 in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. He later transferred across the floor to Ladder 108 and spent his entire career in the same firehouse. While working numerous fires over those two decades, Bruce suffered a severe back injury requiring two titanium rods to be screwed onto his spine, causing him to retire. His retirement date was Sept. 30, 2001. The brothers threw him a retirement party on Sept 10, 2001.

The next morning, after learning of the attack on the World Trade Center, Bruce responded to the scene. After working on the “pile” well past his retirement date, he and his wife moved to Florida, where he enjoyed several years before succumbing to cancer.

Bruce is survived by his wife, Mary, and their children, Herb and Samantha; his sisters, Linda, Debra, and Dorothy; brothers, Billy, Scott, and Randy; and his grandchildren, Ava, Chloe, and Hunter Bruce Foss.