A New York fire chief who helped with recovery at Ground Zero recently succumbed to 9/11 health effects.

Raymond Plakstis Jr. was a former fire chief and deputy mayor of his New York town before passing away from 9/11 health effects on Nov. 30.

“It is with the deepest regret that the officers and members of the Alert Fire Company announce the line-of-duty passing of ex-chief and 33-year member, Raymond Plakstis Jr.,” the fire department announced, according to the Great Neck Record. “For 33 years, Ray’s devotion to duty and dedication to the Great Neck community was evident in every aspect of his life.”

Plakstis joined his local fire company in 1985 and in 2002 was elected fire chief. He was reelected for the position in 2014. When the terrorist attacks struck New York City in 2001, Plakstis joined the recovery efforts at Ground Zero. In the months following the terrorist attacks, he returned many times to assist with further efforts.

His valiant service left him with chronic 9/11 health effects. In July 2016, Plakstis was diagnosed with cancer reportedly in relation to his work at Ground Zero. He battled with 9/11 health effects for 28 months before succumbing to the illness.

Plakstis’ death is not the first in his family to be attributed to 9/11 health effects. His mother Doris Groene was a notable first responder in their local community and helped with recovery efforts after 9/11. Like her son, Groene was left with 9/11 health effects and passed away in 2017.

“My brother’s presence made Great Neck a better community,” Plakstis’ older brother told the Great Neck Record. “He was probably the most unselfish person that you could ever meet. He believed in giving people second chances and would give you the dinner off his plate if you needed it. As a businessman, he helped anyone he could.”

Plakstis’ family is mourning his death but his local community is also feeling the loss.

“I absolutely admired Ray Plakstis,” said a local attorney and another 9/11 first responder. “He helped more people than anybody I’ve ever met. In addition to fighting fires and providing emergency medical care to thousands of people, he went out of his way to hire guys who were struggling to get back on their feet—and he treated all of them like family.”

Unfortunately, stories just like Plakstis’ are happening every day all over the country. The 9/11 terrorist attacks released countless toxic chemicals and dust into the air which were inhaled and ingested by first responders and other individuals. Although the terrorist attacks were so long ago, first responders, city workers, and city residents are still being diagnosed with 9/11 health effects, including numerous types of cancer.

First responders with 9/11 health effects and their families may be eligible to recover compensation from relief efforts such as the September 11^th Victim Compensation Fund. Over 70 types of cancer are eligible for compensation and all varieties of 9/11 victims are eligible to recover compensation if they are plagued with 9/11 health effects.