Mamaroneck honors firefighter who died from 9/11-related cancer  

Friends and community members honored a Mamaroneck firefighter who died from a 9/11-related cancer Saturday.

Dennis Tortorella, 75, served for the fire department more than 50 years.  

Firefighters told News 12 that Tortorella’s prostate cancer was related to his work at Ground Zero after the terrorist attack at the World Trade Center.  

"He was truly one of those guys. You hear it all the time, never had a bad word to say about anybody, always had a smile,” said David Commender, with the Mamaroneck Fire Department.  “With Dennis, it was true. He was kind and generous to the most senior members and the most junior members." 

Commender told News 12 that Tortorella’s children are also volunteer firefighters. He says together the family has a total of 175 years of service.  

His funeral was held Saturday morning at St. John and Paul Church.