Local artist, community members remember fallen firefighter from Ladder 170

Artist Kenny Altidor painted a picture of fallen firefighter Timothy Klein.

News 12 Staff

Apr 26, 2022, 9:45 PM

Updated 891 days ago

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Community members, including a local artist, are remembering the firefighter who was killed battling a fire in Canarsie Sunday.
Artist Kenny Altidor, who paints portraits of fallen officials, expressed how he pours his emotion into his art. He painted a picture of fallen firefighter Timothy Klein, 31, who was killed when the second floor of a home on Avenue N collapsed on him while battling a fire. Carlos Richards, 21 was also killed in the fire.
"It's unfortunate that I have to come back again and do it for the same fire department," says Altidor.
Altidor brought the sketch of the painting to Ladder 170, where multiple firefighters and community members signed their names and condolences.
Businesses around the firehouse also spoke about the impact that Klein left on the community.
"He was a very nice guy here in the community," says Shisu Y, an employee at Marino Hardware. "He was so joyful. All the time he came here he would say hey I need some screws, I need this. He has been a good friend, so we lost a very good friend and were all mourning for that guy."
Workers at Trending Cutz say they know many of the firefighters at Ladder 170 and can't believe Klein is gone.
"They always pass and say hi, you know, and sometimes they come in and get their haircut, but, you know, he always stopped by," says Steven Winter, a barber at Trending Cutz.
Klein was a member of the FDNY for six years and made a huge impact in that time.
A wake for Klein will be held at McManus Funeral Home Thursday. The viewing hours are 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The funeral Mass will be held for Klein Friday at St. Francis de Sales in Belle Harbor at 11 a.m.