A retired firefighter who was awarded three bravery citations for his work searching for survivors at Ground Zero recently died of WTC cancer tied to exposure to toxic rubble.

On Sept. 15, retired Long Beach volunteer fire captain and FDNY firefighter John Elges passed away after battling WTC cancer.

According to a Newsday article, Elges was born in Far Rockaway, a neighborhood in New York City, and graduated from Beach Channel High School. Elges worked as a carpenter before he joined the city’s fire department in 1985. In 1989, Elges joined Long Beach as a volunteer where he shared his knowledge and experience.

On Sept. 11, 2001, Elges and 12 other firefighters from his station in Far Rockaway joined other first responders at Ground Zero following the terrorist attacks. For nine days, Elges and his comrades worked in the rubble looking for survivors, but none were found. According to Elges’ family, he went to funerals and wakes for several weeks following the terrorist attacks, and was moved by the kindness outpouring from the community.

“He was a dedicated firefighter in the city and here,” Long Beach Fire Commissioner Scott Kemins said to Newsday. “He chose to give back to the community by volunteering his time and expertise from New York City.”

After multiple knee and shoulder surgeries, Elges retired and moved with his wife to North Carolina. In 2015, Elges was diagnosed with WTC cancer in his throat which later spread to his lungs and brain. In December, he had a brain tumor removed and continued to fight the WTC cancer illness. His family and comrades at the FDNY have confirmed that Elges’ WTC cancer was tied to his exposure to carcinogens while searching Ground Zero for survivors of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

As a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the collapse of the World Trade Center buildings released clouds of toxic materials and carcinogens. First responders such as Elges who worked extensively with the rubble from the terrorist attacks are at a high risk of developing WTC cancer. Although the terrorist attacks occurred 17 years ago, many of the hazardous materials released by the terrorist attacks have a long latency period. This means that many individuals exposed to carcinogens and toxic material are only now starting to develop WTC cancer or other life-threatening conditions.

Although Elges developed WTC cancer as a result of his work at Ground Zero, his wife says he had no regrets about his work.

“He was a big man in every way. He lived big, he loved big and he cried big,” said his wife, Nuala Elges, speaking to Newsday. “He came back a broken man, crying. Once he was diagnosed with cancer, he never wanted to be called a hero. He said he was doing what everyone else would do.”

His only regret was reportedly the fact that his beloved family, including his wife and four children, had to see him suffer from WTC Cancer.

“My faith has been shattered, but God knew what was ahead of him and spared him the pain and suffering,” Elges said.