By FireRescue1 Staff
ALBANY, N.Y. — Friends and fellow firefighters are mourning the death of a veteran firefighter who died unexpectedly Monday evening.
Firefighter William O’Leary, 52, died after falling ill at a restaurant, reported the Times Union.
“He wasn’t happy unless he was helping someone else,” Albany Detective Tom Chea, a friend of O’Leary’s, said.
Although O’Leary’s cause of death has not been stated, doctors suspect a cardiac or choking incident. Over 30 firefighters and 20 police officers waited in the hospital Monday night while O’Leary was undergoing care.
“He was well-liked and a great fireman,” Albany Fire Chief Warren Abriel said. “Everyone is devastated by the news.”
O’Leary was born in Ireland and moved to the United States with his family as a child. He leaves behind his wife, parents and siblings.