Charles W. ‘Chip’ McCarthy Jr. was my brother. He was 45 years old. He was on the job with the Buffalo Fire Department for 23 years and served as a lieutenant for the last 13 years. He received (posthumously) the 2009 Buffalo Fire Commissioner’s Unit Citation for assisting other companies in the rescue of a woman in the water. Chip was a member of the Buffalo Firefighters Union‚ Local #282.

Chip was an extremely dedicated family man‚ as well as one of those guys who would help you at the drop of a hat. He was a hard worker. He could paint a house with the best of them. He loved his dogs‚ all seven of them.

I have many memories of the times my brother and I shared. We spent our summers at the cottage in Canada while growing up. We played youth hockey together‚ and he helped me find my way around the high school that we went to together. We worked the same job together before getting on the B.F.D.‚ and Chip helped me prepare for my career when I got on the B.F.D. He and my cousin studied with me for our promotional exam. Without their help I probably wouldn’t have made it. Chip and I went to concerts and sporting events‚ and he was there if I ever needed him. I remember his love and dedication to family‚ his sense of humor and his laidback attitude.

He is survived by his wife‚ Terri (Browka); two daughters‚ Stephanie and Shannon; a son‚ Charles III Chas; and his granddaughter‚ Taliana. He is also survived by his parents‚ Charles Sr. and Marilyn McCarthy‚ and his brother‚ Dan.