PITTSBURGH -- Firefighters from as far away as Canada and Hawaii assembled Thursday in Oakland to pay tribute to a pair of fallen heroes.
A procession of hundreds of ladder trucks, command cars and ambulances left Heinz Field around 10 a.m. for a noon Mass at St. Paul Cathedral for Battalion Chief Charles Brace and firefighter Richard Stefanakis. The two men died Saturday in the Hill District when the bell tower of Ebenezer Baptist Church collapsed while they were fighting a fire.
In his eulogy, 22-year-old Daniel Brace talked about being given a used fire helmet by his father as a child and wearing it to kindergarten.
"I never became a firefighter, but I was always proud that you were ... I can't think of a more noble way to pass, which is fitting because you are the most noble man I knew," Brace said. "I love you, Daddy. Goodbye for now."
Bagpipes and drums were played in the procession to and from the church. After Mass, a 21-gun salute was fired and two emergency helicopters flew over the area.
About 2,000 people crowded into the cathedral for Mass, which was led by Bishop Donald Wuerl. Several hundred people who were unable to fit inside the large church listened on loud speakers outside.
Mayor Tom Murphy was among local politicians in attendance. His voice often broke as he delivered one of the day's seven eulogies.
"When the Steelers win a playoff, we celebrate as a family. When there's a tragedy, we mourn as a family," Murphy said. "Know today that the city of Pittsburgh mourns with you today as a family."
New York City firefighters signed a copy of an artist's rendering of an angel that was given to the families. The artwork included a biblical passage: "Greater love has no man than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends."
"The lives and deaths of Charles and Richard hold up for us another vision of life," Wuerl said. "There's no such thing as a safe fire, but someone has to go (fight them) ... Charles and Rich are cut from that same cloth. They were called, and they went."
An emotional city Fire Chief Peter Micheli called Thursday "one of the saddest days of my life," but ended his eulogy on a positive note.
"In today's society, we can't turn on the news without hearing of violence and destruction. We try hard to find role models. Today, we have role models," he said.
Brace, 55, will be buried at Queen of Heaven Cemetery in Peters. He is survived by his wife, Jamie, and two sons, Charles and Daniel.
Stefanakis, 51, will be buried at Calvary Cemetery in Hazelwood. He is survived by his wife, Stephanie, and two children, Crystal and Chad.
Both men served in the Pittsburgh Fire Bureau for more than 30 years.
Related Links: Make Church, Fire Donations See Church Fire Images Detailed Information At IAFF Local 1 Web Site Ebenezer Baptist Church Web Site Pittsburgh Fire Bureau Web SitePrevious Stories: March 16, 2004: Questions Remain As Firefighters Mourn March 14, 2004: Church Service Offers Prayers For Firefighters March 13, 2004: Church Fire Claims Two Of Pittsburgh's Bravest Copyright 2005 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be
published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
