Funeral held for retired FDNY, Rockland man, who died from 9/11 related illness
A funeral was held today in West Nyack for a retired FDNY firefighter who died of 9/11 related illness earlier this month. The long time Rockland resident was also a nearly 50 year volunteer member of the Blauvelt Fire Company.
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Firefighters lined West Nyack Road outside the Joseph W. Sorce Funeral home for one final salute to Pieter Grosbeck.
The 63-year-old from Orangeburg died earlier this month from 9/11-related cancer.
He spent nearly three decades with the FDNY before retiring in 2018. The FDNY has lost more than 400 members to World Trade Center-related illnesses, a toll expected to climb.
"Pieter is the 419th World Trade Center loss we've had - post 9/11," said Bobby Eustace, vice president of the Uniformed Firefighters Association. "Another sad tragedy. Unfortunately, these are getting more and more every year."
Many current and retired city firefighters were there on Wednesday to honor Grosbeck.
"Whenever I came to work and I saw Piete sitting there. I said, 'I'm going to have a good tour,'" said Thomas McCarthy. "Piete died way too early…It's just terrible. It's another tragedy."
Grosbeck spent a few years with the NYPD before joining New York's bravest.
He was also the Blauvelt Fire Company's chief three times during his 46 years as a volunteer.
Local firefighters were also there for Piete's procession outside the funeral home.
"What a great tribute to my brother, it's just been phenomenal from the whole fire service," said Bob Grosbeck, who tells News 12 he looked forward to their sibling retirement plans. "I'm going to miss him immensely."
Grosbeck also leaves behind a wife and his entire firefighting family.
