A funeral was held Monday morning for an FDNY firefighter from West Islip who died due to 9/11-related illnesses.

Family, friends and fellow firefighters who worked alongside Freddy Gallagher gathered at Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in West Islip.

Gallagher, 61, answered the call on Sept. 11, 2001 at Ground Zero following the terror attacks at the World Trade Center. He was later diagnosed with multiple cancers.

His father, Fred Gallagher, says his son was selfless and always wanted to comfort his family, even when he was very sick.

"One of the last things he said was...'It is what it is,'" said Fred Gallagher. "He was quite a guy."

FDNY Captain Joseph Cleric, Gallagher’s former commanding officer, says he was courageous.

“He made the ultimate sacrifice, that's why we're here today to honor him. He died a hero,” Cleric says.

FDNY Chief of Safety Mike Meyers says Gallagher was his high school football coach.

“I was in church today remembering the memories that we shared on the field – how we made football fun again,” he says.

Gallagher retired after 28 years of service from his Brooklyn firehouse. He is survived by his parents and his wife Ellen, who held Gallagher’s helmet during the service.

In lieu of flowers, Gallagher's family has asked donations to be made to the FDNY Family Transport Foundation.