Pat Herlihy, of LaGrange, passed away Sunday at Vassar Brothers Hospital. He was 86 years old.

Patrick Francis Herlihy was born on November 21st, 1937, in Brooklyn, NY, to Michael and Mary (Dillon) Herlihy, immigrants from Ireland. He was raised in the Park Slope neighborhood and graduated from St. Francis Preparatory School in 1956. After serving in the United States Marine Corps under Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy at the 8th & I Barracks in Washington, D.C. (where his duties included guarding the White House and the Capitol), he began a 26-year career in the New York City Fire Department. Serving primarily with Ladder 59 in the South Bronx, he battled one of the most ferocious waves of arson in American history during the 60s, 70s and 80s. During this time, he completed his bachelor's degree in fire science at the John Jay College of Criminal Justice.

Mr. Herlihy married Kathleen M. Murphy on September 18th, 1965. In October of 1969, the Herlihys moved to Noxon Road in LaGrange, where they fulfilled Mr. Herlihy's lifelong dream of raising chickens, steers, pigs, ducks, geese, goats, dogs, cats and children.

During his firefighting career, Mr. Herlihy was also the owner/operator of two local businesses: Expert Chimney Sweeping and the Holly Coal Co. After retiring from the FDNY in 1987, Mr. Herlihy served as fire safety director of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in Manhattan.

Mr. Herlihy is survived by his wife, and four children: Tim (Tricia) of Ridgefield, CT; Kathleen (Andrew) Griemsmann of Poughkeepsie; Michael (Lisa) of Hopewell Junction; and Patrick (Bridget) of Poughkeepsie, as well as eight beloved grandchildren: Martin, Jane, Julia, Terry, Dean, Gwen, Lily and Charlotte Herlihy.

A devout Roman Catholic, Mr. Herlihy was a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. He also held a pilot's license, though none of us were crazy enough to go flying with him.

Visiting hours will be this Wednesday, May 22nd, at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, from 2pm to 4pm and 7pm to 9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, May 23rd, at 10:45am at St. Kateri Church1925 Route 82, LaGrangeville, followed by internment at St. Denis Cemetery.