A sea of family members, friends, fellow firefighters and first responders gathered Sunday to pay tribute to a dedicated Long Beach firefighter and ground zero first responder.

Funeral services for Capt. Michael Ornauer were held this morning in Rockville Centre. Bagpipes played as Ornauer's casket was saluted by firefighters and responders.

As News 12 has reported, Ornauer served the City of Long Beach for 30 years. He was also a dispatcher with Nassau Firecom for 26 years, and volunteered with the Freeport Fire Department.

He passed away last week after a battle with a 9/11-related cancer.

Services began at Gutterman's Funeral Home in Rockville Centre at 9 a.m.

Ornauer was made an honorary chief of the Long Beach Fire Department.