Chaplain Monsignor John E. Delendick was appointed as FDNY Chaplain in May 1996. Five years later, he would face the unimaginable when he arrived at the World Trade Center after the second plane struck during the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil.
While he survived when the towers collapsed that fateful day, Delendick would succumb to cancer related to the World Trade Center (WTC) toxic contaminants. The chaplain died last year at the age of 74, and the FDNY announced he will be honored on Nov. 22 in a WTC plaque dedication.
The dedication will occur one day short of a year after the chaplain died on Nov. 23, 2023.
Delendick, a 28-year-old veteran of the FDNY, helped New York’s bravest through some of their darkest times.
The FDNY said Delendick spent months after 9/11 bringing families to the World Trade Center site, officiating hundreds of memorial and funeral services, and caring for the loved ones of those who suffered immeasurable loss. For years after the attack, Delendick was always there at FDNY ceremonies such as funerals, graduations and promotions, and other events.
In speaking to several FDNY members by text messages, The Epoch Times found that Delendick was much more than just a chaplain officiating at funeral services—he became a friend, a confidant, and a spiritual mentor, and he was someone who left an indelible mark on their lives.
FDNY Retired Captain Gerard Chipura, who lost his brother on Sept. 11, a firefighter from Engine 219, said he met Delendick when had his first ceremony as a chaplain in 1996. He said they connected that day and were friends until his passing last year.
“After the loss of my brother, John, on Sept. 11, Monsignor and I attended many funerals and memorials where we connected every time,” said Chipura. “He went out of his way to say hello to me, knowing my loss, he always wanted to help me with my grief.”
Chipura said that his relationship with the chaplain grew over the years.
“We were together at many, many ceremonies, and became even closer friends,” said Chipura. “He was not only a spiritual leader to his parishioners in his parish, but he looked at the FDNY as his flock that he had to lead us through the dark time following Sept. 11 and into the future.”
Delendick was determined to attend every WTC service and pay tribute to those who died of WTC-related illnesses, according to Chipura.
“Little did we know he would contract WTC-related cancer and subsequently pass away from this cancer,” said Chipura.
Capt. Paul Olsen said he knew Delendick through the years when he was a young firefighter, then when he became a lieutenant and recently rose to captain. He recalled the chaplain aging and then suffering from cancer.
“He attended hundreds of funerals during his time. He would come for dinner when I was a young firefighter in [Firehouse 114]—always kind and had good stories on life experiences,” Olsen said.
Near the end of Delendick’s life, Olsen saw him at a few barbecues, “when he was riddled with cancer.”
“He was still giving upbeat stories with a laugh,” Olsen recalled.
Another FDNY captain recalled Delendick as someone who always stepped up to help, even when he was off duty.
“Monsignor was the FDNY chaplains’ ‘Swiss Army Knife,'” said Capt. Tom Watson. “He did it all in one great person. When none of the other chaplains were available, whether he was on duty or off, he always stepped up to serve our members.”
Watson referred to the chaplain as the “adopted clergyman” for numerous firehouses in addition to his official FDNY chaplain duties.
When Delendick’s health began to fail, that did not hold him back, according to Watson.
“There wasn’t a ceremony, wake, or funeral he would not show up for and assist in some form or fashion,” he said.
Even before he was diagnosed with cancer, the chaplain frequently spoke about cancer as many members of the FDNY lost so many members to WTC and occupational cancers.
“This is something he had a front-row seat to witness as FDNY chaplain and we all knew it weighed heavily on him,” Watson said.
Battalion Chief Kevin Ambery said: “My experience with him was that he was the spiritual guidance for the FDNY from even before 9/11 until his retirement while fighting cancer.
“The countless lives he touched, while performing as the fire department chaplain, is immeasurable. When he wasn’t spreading the faith at ceremonies, he visited firehouses to sit and talk with members about their well-being.”
Watson said the chaplain always loved a good meal, and the firehouse kitchen could be a “daunting task to entertain” but the monsignor “knew how to handle a tough audience” and hold their attention.
“And he put up with us while wearing a smile,” Watson said, adding that he was dedicated to helping others and that he will be sorely missed.
Chipura also said he will miss the chaplain and his spiritual guidance.
“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of him shepherding his flock,” Chipura said. “Looking after us like a good shepherd. I miss his spirituality and his ability to connect with everyone he spoke with. What a wonderful man and chaplain to the FDNY. God Bless Msgr. John Delendick.”
