Family, friends say goodbye to Fairview firefighter who died of 9/11-related illness

Family and friends said goodbye Tuesday to a Fairview firefighter who died of a 9/11-related illness.
Firefighter Robert Mentrasti, who worked for the Fairview Fire Department for 25 years, died last week. The 54-year-old was a first responder at Ground Zero.
Firefighters from across Westchester and the Hudson Valley stopped traffic in Elmsford Tuesday to pay their respects to Mentrasti.
"On 9/11, he was ready to go and never thought twice about it. To this day I don't think he would have, he really was a true hero,” said Chief Howard Reiss, of the Fairview Fire Department.

Mentrasti dedicated his time volunteering and raising money for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Donations to the organization are encouraged in his memory.
A funeral Mass is scheduled for Wednesday morning.