Kids of lost firefighters in ‘Father’s Day Massacre’ remember hero dads

Before veteran firefighter Harry Ford raced to battle a furious blaze at a Queens hardware store on June 17, 2001, he took care of some important business first — a phone call home to speak with his wife and kids.

It was a holiday, after all, and there were festivities planned for later that evening after he finished his 12-hour shift.

“We said, ‘Happy Father’s Day,’ that was about it,” recalled Ford’s son, Gerard.

They were the last words Gerard and brother Harry would ever say to their dad, who was killed along with two other firefighters in the five-alarm blaze at Long Island General Supply Co. after an explosion toppled the two-story brick building’s walls and roof.

Eight kids were left fatherless that awful afternoon on Astoria Boulevard in what became grimly known as The Father’s Day Massacre.

Ford, 50, of Long Beach, LI, a member of Rescue Co. 4, and Ladder 163’s John Downing, 40, of Port Jefferson Station, LI, were standing outside the building when they were crushed. Brian Fahey, 46, of East Rockaway, LI, and also with Rescue 4, was inside when the first floor caved in, sending him plummeting to the basement.

Thirteen years later, this time of year remains painful for those left behind.

“If I could say anything to my father, it would just be, ‘I miss you,’ ” Gerard told The Post.

Harry Ford with his sons.
Harry Ford’s children all grown up: From left, Harry Ford Jr., Janna and Gerald.

After he hung up with his dad, he and his brother filled out Father’s Day cards, writing about the family trip to Disney World they had taken a few weeks before. The cards wound up in their dad’s coffin. Gerard, 23, said he can’t remember exactly what he wrote. Harry, 25, still won’t talk about that day.

Today, the Ford boys work as grips in the TV and film business, something their dad did as a side job. Both still aim to be firefighters.

Their sister, Janna, 37, had a baby boy named ­Jacob on May 29. Mom ­Denise — elected a Nassau County legislator in 2003 — still sees the lingering heartache in her kids.

“This time of year is just difficult,” she said.

For her, too. She and Harry started dating in 1983 and quickly fell in love. He was reserved, she was bubbly — they were a perfect match.

“You always felt safe with him,” she said.

Downing’s daughter, Joanne, was just 7 when he was killed. His son Michael — who tragically died of a neuroblastoma two years later — was just 2.

“It was always hard for me growing up. I always just thought of today as a sad day,” said Joanne, now 20.

Harry Ford’s grandson, Jacob, born on May 29.

“But I also think of it as another day that I can think of how proud I am of him,” she said of her dad, who was posthumously promoted to lieutenant in 2006. “He was such a strong role model in my life. Even though I didn’t have much time with him, he impacted my life forever.”

Fahey’s widow, Mary, is raising 16-year-old twins Patrick and James, and 21-year-old Brendan. Through them, she’s forever reminded of him, she said.

“They all have a part of him — one will act like him, one will look like him. Every single day I’m reminded of a piece of their father,” she said. “That’s what makes it a little easier.”

The Fords, Downings and Faheys remain close. Each year since the fire, they gather on Father’s Day for the Deputy Chief Ray Downey “Forever Running” Memorial 5K Run/Walk in Deer Park, LI, which honors 9/11 victim Downey and the three brave dads killed on that tragic day in June.