Thousands show up to say "Goodbye" to fallen fire chief, People by the thousands filled the streets of Philadelphia to pay their respects and say thanks to Battalion Chief Goodwin yesterday and today.
A viewing was held yesterday at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Rd. First responders from across the area showed up after 5:00 p.m. Prior to that, it was time for his family and immediate co workers to say their farewells.
Goodwin, a Captain with Ladder Company 27 was killed doing battle with a four alarm fire last week, in the Queen Village section of the city.
Under a new city law, any police officer or firefighter will be granted the next highest rank upon their death, if they died in the line of duty.
Academy Road was closed to through traffic, so that apparatus and vehicles attending the viewing would be able to park unimpeded.
Firefighters from Canada showed up. Most firefighters were from within 200 miles away. A good many were volunteer.
The Rev.Marjorie Neil spoke during the service and demanded Mayor Micheal Nutter give the firefighters a good contract and stop trying to fight to pay them less.
Nutter arrived at the Givnish Funeral Home at the last second, just after Goodwin's body was being removed from Engine 53. Less than a minute later, he would have missed the presentation.
as Goodwin's casket was loaded onto Engine 53tomake the trip to St. Micheal's Lutheran Church in Kensington, a procession stretching as far as the eye could see filled the streets.
During the escort, State police rode behind the funeral cortege in case any motorist wanted to try to race ahead. On surface streets, people came out of their houses to pay their respects or stop what they were doing to see what was happening.
Some carried flags,while others saluted.
Goodwin is survived by his wife,Kelly,mother, Elizabeth, a daughter, Dorothy Dunn,a son, Michael Jr . and two grand children.
THIS ARTICLE AND ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT BY ALEX LLOYD GROSS AND MAY NOT BE RE POSTED OR REPUBLISHED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.
A viewing was held yesterday at the Givnish Funeral Home on Academy Rd. First responders from across the area showed up after 5:00 p.m. Prior to that, it was time for his family and immediate co workers to say their farewells.
Goodwin, a Captain with Ladder Company 27 was killed doing battle with a four alarm fire last week, in the Queen Village section of the city.
Under a new city law, any police officer or firefighter will be granted the next highest rank upon their death, if they died in the line of duty.
Academy Road was closed to through traffic, so that apparatus and vehicles attending the viewing would be able to park unimpeded.
Firefighters from Canada showed up. Most firefighters were from within 200 miles away. A good many were volunteer.
The Rev.Marjorie Neil spoke during the service and demanded Mayor Micheal Nutter give the firefighters a good contract and stop trying to fight to pay them less.
Nutter arrived at the Givnish Funeral Home at the last second, just after Goodwin's body was being removed from Engine 53. Less than a minute later, he would have missed the presentation.
as Goodwin's casket was loaded onto Engine 53tomake the trip to St. Micheal's Lutheran Church in Kensington, a procession stretching as far as the eye could see filled the streets.
During the escort, State police rode behind the funeral cortege in case any motorist wanted to try to race ahead. On surface streets, people came out of their houses to pay their respects or stop what they were doing to see what was happening.
Some carried flags,while others saluted.
Goodwin is survived by his wife,Kelly,mother, Elizabeth, a daughter, Dorothy Dunn,a son, Michael Jr . and two grand children.
THIS ARTICLE AND ALL PHOTOS ARE COPYRIGHT BY ALEX LLOYD GROSS AND MAY NOT BE RE POSTED OR REPUBLISHED WITHOUT PRIOR PERMISSION.
No comments:
Post a Comment