A procession of firefighters followed the transfer of the body of an Inwood firefighter who died at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset last Tuesday five days after battling a house fire in Woodmere.
The body of Joseph Sanford Jr., a 17-year member of the Inwood Fire Department who had served as assistant chief, was taken from the Manhasset hospital on Wednesday to the Nassau County Medical Examiner’s office in East Meadow.
The Manhasset-Lakeville and Great Neck Vigilant fire departments were among those that lined the streets in a procession accompanying the transfer of Sanford’s remains.
Sanford 43, suffered fatal injuries from falling through the floor of a house on Central Avenue in Woodmere in the early-morning hours of Dec. 19.
He was one of 200 firefighters from 13 departments that responded to the fire.
According to reports, Sanford leaves behind a widow named Jackie and a grown daughter.
An online campaign to raise money for his family that had a goal of $2,500 has raised more than $32,000.
Responding firefighters found Sanford in the basement of the residence and revived him from cardiac arrest. He was then taken to North Shore University Hospital.
A wake and funeral services for Sanford were held Tuesday and Wednesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Inwood.
In a news release Monday, Inwood fire officials said the department’s firefighters were expected to march from a nearby firehouse down Wanser Avenue to the church Tuesday at about 6:45 p.m.
A firematic memorial service was scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
Wednesday’s funeral service was set to begin at 9 a.m., officials said.
In a statement Tuesday, Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said he ordered all county buildings fly flags at half-staff until Jan. 30 in Sanford’s memory.
“May God watch over the family of Joseph Sanford, Jr. as well as those who keep our communities and nation safe,” Mangano said.
