EL PASO -- Paul McGill, a longtime El Paso firefighter who led area residents in honoring some of the New York City firefighters who responded to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, died Saturday after a battle with cancer. He was 44.

McGill "will be remembered as a hardworking and dedicated firefighter who loved the El Paso Fire Department and was popular among firefighters for being a great cook," Fire Department spokesman Lt. Mario Hernandez wrote in a statement. "Paul will be sadly missed by the Fire Department."

He is survived by his wife, Catrina, and four daughters, Meagan, Nadia, Tiffany and Justice.

McGill, a member of the department for 20 years, was assigned to Fire Station 4 in Central El Paso and was generous to the most helpless people in the community.

During a 2006 ceremony in which children being treated for cancer at Providence Memorial Hospital were made honorary firefighters, McGill spoke about their examples of courage he admired and said they helped inspire him during his struggle with cancer.

In 2002, McGill chaperoned three New York firefighters in El Paso as they visited area schools and spoke about their experiences responding to the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

Michael D. Hernandez may be reached at mhernandez@elpasotimes.com; 546-6151.

Services

·  Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday.

·  A prayer vigil will follow at 7

p.m. at Martin Funeral Home, 1460 George Dieter.

·  Mass will be said at 11 a.m. Wednesday at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 2301 Zanzibar. 

To donate

·  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in McGill's name to Mesilla Valley Hospice, 299 E. Montana, Las Cruces, NM 88005

The Administration would like to thank all our members that participated in both the service and the funeral for active duty firefighter Paul McGill including the Honor Guard, the crews of Ladder 24 and Ladder 1 for flying the flag, Communications PSC Carlos Deanda (last call) and especially the liaison, Deputy Chief Matt Widtfeldt. 

Paul may you Rest In Peace.

 Paul McGill Video Tribute

Video courtesy of John Concha