Dennis Brendan McClean died at home in Rockaway Park, New York, on September 6, 2021. His death was caused by illnesses related to his recovery work at the site of the World Trade Center following the 9/11 attacks.

Dennis was born on September 1, 1950, in Rockaway Beach, to the late Daniel and Kathleen McClean.

A firefighter with the Fire Department of New York, his last duty station was Ladder 137/Engine 268 in Rockaway Beach. He followed in the footsteps of his father and his grandfather, Hugh McSweeney, and loved every aspect of being a firefighter. Dennis was well-liked and highly regarded by a large circle of friends. His generosity and empathy for others drove him to support friends and fellow firefighters who were ill or injured, always ready to lend care to those that needed it. Service was important to Dennis. He was a coast guardsman and federal park police officer before becoming a New York City firefighter, a volunteer in numerous charitable endeavors, and a proud member of the Knights of Columbus.

Dennis grew up and lived his life in Rockaway Beach. He loved the ocean. He was a lifeguard and accomplished surfer who, as a youth, traveled around the world looking for that perfect wave. His love of skiing brought him to Colorado, where he was a ski instructor and downhill racer for several years. In later life, Dennis loved to walk the boardwalk with his close friends, taking in the ocean breeze and the beauty of the beach. He was thankful for those friends that gave him support throughout his life.

Dennis was generous with his time in fundraising for various organizations, especially the Cornell University burn unit. He was a beneficiary of the burn unit care after a line-of-duty injury, and he participated for many years in the “hose races” at ski resorts and other events to benefit the burn unit. His fundraising also extended to the Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation, which honors first responders and our military. He supported the Wounded Warrior Foundation and AMP Surf, a non-profit organization established to support all people with disabilities. Dennis drew on his water skills to teach wounded service members and others with disabilities surfing and surf therapy.

Dennis was survived by his wife, Kathleen; son, Justin Daniel; stepchildren, Shane and Cody; brothers, Daniel and Kevin; mother-in-law, Margie Kessler; sisters-in-law, Marjorie McClean and Vera Vaskis; brothers-in-law, Joe and Jim Kessler; nephew Brendan; nieces, Elizabeth McClean and Lauren Brennan; and Lauren’s husband, Jim, and their children, Brielle, Finn, Shane, and James.