Can’t be at the National Stair Climb for Fallen Firefighters on October 29 at Citi Field? Don’t worry – you can still participate in the Virtual Climb. Just like Travis DeFlumere, son of fallen firefighter Captain Albert “Foxie” DeFlumere.
Captain Albert “Foxie” DeFlumere
Foxie was a member of the Blauvelt Volunteer Fire Co. for 31 years, working his way through the ranks to Chief. He died in the line of duty on October 26‚ 1996‚ his 11th wedding anniversary. He awoke in his own home to the smell of smoke. He led his wife Cathy and two of their sons‚ ages 8 and 4 out a window to safety. He returned into the house to get Matthew age 6 but they never came out.
» Read more about Albert “Foxie” DeFlumere
Cathy remarked that when Foxie was honored in 1997 she was so overwhelmed from the support and comfort she and her family received at Memorial Weekend that she wrote a thank you note when she got home. She and her sons also became active with the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation (NFFF) to help others who walk their path as survivors.
“I chose to ‘payback’ by returning each year to volunteer at Memorial Weekend and other Foundation activities. Now that my sons are older they too are ‘paying back’ by participating in fundraising for the Foundation, such as stair climbs, NASCAR events.”
Travis enjoyed participating in the inaugural National Stair Climb for Fallen Firefighters in 2015 and was disappointed he couldn’t make it this year due to a cruise he and his mother are taking. “He is thrilled to do a ‘virtual’ stair climb on our cruise to support the Foundation and remember his dad and all firefighters that have died in the line of duty,” Cathy said.
