Mark W. McKay was born on February 13, 1964. He was appointed to the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) on April 8, 1985, and served his first two years in Engine Company 38. He was promoted to lieutenant in December of 1997 and served the remainder of his career in that role until his retirement on November 15, 2005. Lieutenant McKay was cited four times for acts of bravery and awarded honors in 1991, 1992, 2003, and 2004.

He died on April 4, 2012, from an illness related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

Lieutenant McKay is survived by his wife, Belinda; children, Melissa and Mark; parents, Harrison and Dolores; and siblings, Dolores, Denise, Donna, and Matthew.