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Family mourns FDNY firefighter from Ronkonkoma who died from 9/11-related illness

Family and friends came together this weekend to remember a firefighter and veteran from Ronkonkoma who passed away Friday from a 9/11-related illness.

News 12 Staff

Feb 10, 2020, 3:17 AM

Updated 1,530 days ago

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Family and friends came together this weekend to remember a firefighter and veteran from Ronkonkoma who passed away Friday from a 9/11-related illness.
Paul Deo was a Vietnam veteran who served in the Marines and was a member of the FDNY for 33 years.
He responded to Ground Zero on Sept. 11 and the days after.
In 2016, he was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. He had a lung transplant last year, but his family says he ultimately passed away from the 9/11-related illness at the age of 74.
Michael Deo, Paul Deo's son, says his father was originally from Queens and moved to Ronkonkoma where he raised his family. Michael Reo now lives in Smithtown, and says his dad was the inspiration for becoming a firefighter himself.
Paul's Deo's brother and nephew are firefighters, too.
Michael Deo says the whole family was by his father's side when he passed away in the hospital.
The wake for FDNY firefighter Paul Deo will be on Tuesday at Mahoney's Funeral Home in Lake Ronkonkoma. A World Trade Center funeral for him will be held on Wednesday at Saint Joseph's Church.


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