Final farewell: Rochester honors fallen firefighter after cancer battle

Hundreds of firefighters and other mourners gathered downtown Wednesday to pay their respects to Rochester Fire Department Lt. John Joseph, who died July 7 at age 37 after battling cancer. Joseph's funeral service, held at the Blue Cross Arena at the War Memorial, included full honors for a line-of-duty death. "I'm here to tell everyone that the toughest firefighter I have ever seen is this one right here," said Matt Murphy, president of Rochester Fire Fighters Local 1071. Despite Joseph's illness, he stayed on the job as long as he could. "Determined not to miss out on a single day of the job he loved so much and the Engine 5 crew that had become a second family, John reported to work for what he knew would likely be his final shift on Saturday, June 27th," his sister Melissa said. Joseph was remembered for being adventurous, living life to the fullest and how he treated everyone. "One of the very admirable things about John is from the earliest of his days until, even when he was getting ready to pass from this world to go home to God, he had a great respect for all human beings and dignity for everyone," said Father Rob Bourcy, who presided over Joseph's funeral Mass. Colleagues said Joseph gave the ultimate sacrifice for firefighting. "Our brother John Joseph has completed his task," said Captain Jeff Simson from the Rochester Fire Department. "His duties well done. And the bell rings three times in memory of, in a tribute to, his life of service." Following the service, Joseph's body was carried one last time past the Engine 5 firehouse on Lyell Avenue before being taken to Mount Hope Cemetery for burial. "We're all stories in the end," Melissa Joseph said. "Just make it a good one, eh? We love you, John." READ MORE: https://13wham.com/news/local/funeral... _______________ Stay up to date with our social media: 13 WHAM on Facebook:   / 13wham   13 WHAM on Twitter:   / 13wham   13WHAM on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/13whamtv/?h... 13WHAM on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@13wham?lang=en 13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest:    • 13WHAM Local News Digest   For more information, visit https://13wham.com/ Have a news tip? Send it directly to us: Email us: [email protected] Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700 WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today. #13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork