New York, New York
Warm Humor, Frozen Shoes
Edward Day did not just extinguish fires. He extinguished grouchiness.
At Engine Company 28 and Ladder 11 on the Lower East Side, where Mr. Day, 45, was a firefighter, he kept a sharp eye out for grumpy colleagues. They got the Day treatment: smiley face stickers slapped on their helmets.
Whenever he stayed at his mother's house in Newport, R.I., he would make the bed when he was ready to leave and then drop a dollar on it with a note, "For the maid." His mother liked to give what she called the last Christmas party of the year, held well into January. Mr. Day had a ritual at the parties: he collected all the bottle caps from exhausted beer bottles and deposited them throughout the house in her plants.
His wife, Bridgitte, was a fervent Clint Eastwood fan, so he would sign his cards to her, "Clint Eastwood."
"He was always ready to make you laugh," said Tim Day, his brother, "whether he knew you for 20 years or 20 minutes."
The first time Eddy Day met Tim's wife, Essie, he asked if she wanted a glass of wine. Sure, she said. He brought it out and handed it to her. "Excuse me," he said, and bent over and slipped off her shoes. As she watched, mystified, he marched into the kitchen and put them in the freezer.
Good Evening Mr. Day,I had the privilege of having your name badge during our 9/11 memorial stair climb in Binghamton,NY today.
You will forever remain an important person whom enriched many lives and continues to live on through all of us who continue to carry on your memory.alomg with the other 342 staff.
Stay safe sir.
Tracy Warner
September 15, 2024 | Binghamton, NY | Acquaintance
If anyone knows Ed's family or close friends please please contact met @ [email protected] I have a very important message for you.
CJ
September 08, 2024 | Other
20 years. Staring at the TV as the second plane hit, with no idea that the consequence would be the loss of a dear friend and wonderful guy, seems like yesterday. Your picture still has a place of honor on our refrigerator, as it has for the last decades since Karen and Willy gave it to us. Willy's loss brought back the memories of the pain of seeing a smiling, happy part of your social life and circle of friends disappear forever. I suppose we can take some comfort in imagining that you...
George Steele
September 09, 2021 | MIDDLETOWN, RI | Friend
Still missing our friendship ever day. Hard to believe it has been 20 years.
C V
September 08, 2021 | Cc | Friend
Remembering Edward on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Cindy Roe
September 06, 2021
Hello, my name is Chris Casillas, I am a retired fire captain from LA County Fire Dept. I was honored to march in the FDNY 10 year anniversary memorial parade (one of the all time greatest moments of my career) in which I received an American flag with FF James Days’ name on the banner. I have proudly displayed this flag every year from our flag pole in Huntington Beach Calif ever since. I would like to present his flag to a family member, colleague or friend of FF Day. It just seems...
Chris Casillas
May 07, 2021 | Friend
Eddie, havent posted you a messagein awhile. Life has been so hectic for the last 2-1/2 years. My Dad died which I cannot seem to get past, and I have been in the hospital 4 times in the last 1-1/2 years, almost dying 2 of them. Doing fair now. Still thimk of you almost daily and how you were such a good friend always ready with a kind word and/orsound advice to help with whatever my problem was at the time. I miss that so much. I still feel you are looking over all your family and friends...
CA
June 18, 2019 | TX
In loving memory of this courageous Engine 28 and Ladder 11 firefighter. God bless.
A.L.
June 17, 2019 | ON
Sariya Garcia
September 11, 2018 | CA