Thomas J. McDougall of Ladder 117 in Astoria, Queens, passed away on January 13, 2023, due to a 9/11-related cancer. He was affectionately known to his fellow “brothers” as Gil or Gilly. If he had known that taking part in the rescue and recovery efforts at Ground Zero would lead to a life-ending illness, he would not have changed anything.

Born on August 30, 1958, Tom grew up in Queens. He was the middle child of five, living up to many of those “middle child” characteristics—outgoing, strong personality, independent, risk taking.

He was a loving husband and father to three children and was very active in their lives growing up. He loved sports and coached basketball and track at his children’s parish, Our Lady of the Miraculous Medal in Ridgewood, Queens.

He was “Papa” to eight grandchildren who were the light of his life. He passed away before the birth of his ninth grandchild, but somehow may have been a part of it, as she was delivered at home by a local firefighter on duty.

Tom became a member of the FDNY in August of 1982, fulfilling a lifelong dream of becoming a firefighter. He always said, “It’s the greatest job in the world.” But to him, it was more than a job; it was who he was. His fellow firefighters were his “other family,” and they would say if Gilly was on the roster, they knew it would be a good tour. He was respected by young firefighters as well as senior members.

In May of 1990, he rushed into a nearby home that he saw smoke coming from, to alert the occupants and help them exit before the FDNY arrived. He received a Certificate of Merit from the Fire Department, and from the Times Newsweekly he received “Firefighter of the Month” in recognition of his bravery and dedication to the community.