PROSPECT HEIGHTS — Msgr. John E. Delendick, the chaplain of the NYC Fire Department remembered for his heroic service during the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, died Nov. 23, Thanksgiving Day morning. He suffered for several years with pancreatic cancer, which the FDNY said it recognized as related to the attack on the World Trade Center. He was 74.

On Sept.11, Msgr. Delendick responded to the terror in lower Manhattan, making himself available to the members of the department on the scene. When the Twin Towers fell, he was forced to flee the vicinity in the back of an ambulance. Not being heard from for hours, he originally was thought to have perished in the rubble.

But he later surfaced and remained at the site until late into the evening.

NYC Fire Commissioner Laura Kavanagh said, “Msgr. Delendick was a spiritual constant and staple in our department, in good times and in bad. Immediately after the immeasurable losses of Sept. 11, he stepped up to provide guidance and comfort to FDNY members and other first responders.

“In his decadeslong career as a chaplain with the FDNY, he was a pillar at department funerals, graduations, promotions, and memorials. He was always quick with a joke and a kind word and had a way of making everyone feel special.  He was beloved, and we are heartbroken over his passing.”

Msgr. Delendick was a chaplain with the Bravest since 1996. In this role, he bestowed blessings upon new graduates, members being promoted, and the department’s marine fleet. He participated in plaque dedications, offered his presence at funerals, and visited with fire department members. On the anniversary of the terrorist attacks, he would celebrate Mass in local firehouses.

When his fellow chaplain, Father Mychal Judge, OFM, was killed at the Trade Center, Msgr. Delendick’s service took on an expanded role, celebrating funeral and memorial services and checking in on first responders.

In a 2017 interview on NET-TV’s “On the Block,” Msgr. Delendick described the scene when he responded to 9/11.

“When the North Tower started coming down, we ran north toward Vesey Street,” he recalled. “On the way, a police officer stopped me and said, ‘Father, can you hear my confession.’ I said to him, ‘This is an act of war, isn’t it? I’m granting general absolution.”

He recalled his ministry that day as one of “pastoral care. I took care of people who were frightened, who were scared. I did what I could.”

Even years later, he said the scars remain. “I have a layer of sadness that comes over me whenever I hear about it. I have a sense of sadness. I can feel it and it doesn’t go away.”

This past September, Msgr. Delendick was honored at the Great Irish Fair where he was presented the Father Mychal Judge Award.

Fellow FDNY chaplain Rabbi Joseph Potasnik issued the following statement:

“Msgr. John Delendick arrived in Heaven on Thanksgiving Day. He was, using a Latin phrase, ‘primus inter pares,’ first among equals. He was a person of faith who respected all faiths of the human family. I will always remember his steadfast courage and commitment as he served our first responders daily at Ground Zero.

“We stood there together during Chanukah and Christmas recognizing the light and love in the hearts of all those who refused to leave the rescue and recovery of their colleagues. Some in this world do little and ask, ‘What can I do?’ Others like Msgr. John do so much and ask, ‘What else can I do?’ On this Thanksgiving, we give thanks for a special soul who blessed all of us throughout his life.

“Well done, Msgr. John Delendick, beloved Chaplain FDNY.”

Social media carried many messages of thanks for the life of Msgr. Delendick. Israel Jackson posted: “His impact on the community, especially in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, cannot be overstated. Msgr. Delendick’s compassionate outreach, counseling, and spiritual support were instrumental in helping individuals navigate the emotional and physical challenges that arose from that tragic day. His legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched, a legacy of love, service, and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.”

“Since 1964 when we met as Freshmen in Cathedral Prep Seminary, John  has been a blessing in my life as he has also blessed the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn in the parishes where he has been assigned. Well done, faithful servant,” said Msgr. Richard J. Ahlemeyer, pastor of St. Camillus – St. Virgilius in Rockaway Park.

Born in Long Island City, Msgr. Delendick was baptized in Blessed Sacrament Church, Jackson Heights. He attended Our Lady of Lourdes School, Queens Village; Cathedral Prep, Elmhurst; Cathedral College, Douglaston, and Immaculate Conception Seminary, Huntington.

He spent his pastoral year as a deacon at St. Sebastian’s Parish, Woodside, where he was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Francis J. Mugavero on Feb. 12, 1977.

He served as an assistant at St. Catherine of Genoa, Brooklyn, 1977-82; and Good Shepherd, Marine Park, 1982-86.

He was appointed as pastor of St. Michael-St. Edward, Fort Greene, in 1986, serving there until 1991, while also serving as administrator of St. Ann-St. George, Downton Brooklyn, 1988-91.

He was pastor at St. Agnes, Cobble Hill, 1993-99; St. Michael, Sunset Park, 1999-2004; and St. Jude, Canarsie, from 2004 until earlier this year when he retired. He took up residence at Holy Name rectory, Park Slope, and spent the last week of his life at Calvary Hospital, Sunset Park.

From 1986 to 1987, Msgr. Delendick also taught at Cathedral Prep. He was named a monsignor in 2003.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Friday, Dec. 1, at the Co-Cathedral of St. Joseph, Prospect Heights. A wake was held at St. Jude’s Church, Nov. 29-30, with a Mass of Transferral celebrated there on Nov. 30.

The funeral Mass included the FDNY Color Guard with full department honors and was attended by hundreds of firefighters. Next September, a plaque honoring Msgr. Delendick will be added to the Wall of Remembrance at its headquarters in Metro Tech.

Bishop Robert Brennan was the main celebrant of the Mass.  Concelebrants included: Bishop Emeritus Nicholas DiMarzio, Msgrs. Richard Ahlemeyer, Joseph Grimaldi, and Marc Filacchione, and Fathers Joseph Hoffman, Lawrence Ryan, and Dominic Peprah.  

Burial was in St. John’s Cemetery, Middle Village.

Msgr. Delendick has served parishes as a true shepherd. Beginning with his Diaconate year at St. Serbastians and his assignments to St. Catherine of Genoa and Good Shepherd as an associate, John has been loved by the parishioners who appreciated his humor, generosity and willingness to serve. He became pastor of St. Michael’s & Edward’s – a parish where he worked as a seminarian. He accepted the parish of St. Ann & St. George – one of the first “partnerships in the Diocese of Brooklyn. Each of the parishes where Msgr. John served as a pastor – St. Agatha, St. Michael and St. Jude – provided unique challenges and opportunities which Msgr. Delenedick willingly accepted. He learned Spanish so that he could better serve the people of these parishes. I was privileged to attend the retirement gathering at the Shrine Church of Saint Jude’s where the love and appreciation of the parishioners whom he had served for 18 years was most evident. Since 1964 when we met as Freshmen in Cathedral Prep Seminary, John  has been a blessing in my life as he has also blessed the people of the Diocese of Brooklyn in the parishes where he has been assigned. Well done, faithful servant.