Buffalo Fire Fighter Succumbs to Pneumonia

Article from:  www.iaff.org

 The IAFF, fellow fire fighters, family and friends are mourning the loss of Buffalo, NY Local 282 member Donald Herbert. Herbert received national news last year after he awoke after 10 years in a vegetative state. Herbert died February 21 from complications of pneumonia.

In December 1995, a roof collapsed on Herbert as he was responding to a house fire. While trapped under the debris, he went several minutes without oxygen. After being pulled to safety, he spent two and a half months in a coma. Once regaining consciousness, his condition rapidly declined – from losing his sight, to suffering from memory loss to a near persistent state of unconsciousness.

In 2005, in what some call a miracle, Herbert awoke at Father Baker Nursing Home asking to speak to his wife. Herbert was moved from the New York nursing home to the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for aggressive therapy. Meanwhile, the members of Chicago Local 2 and the Chicago Fire Department “adopted” Herbert’s wife and four children by arranging for housing and transportation for them while in Chicago.

Tragically, he developed pneumonia and a serious staph infection, lapsing into a coma before passing away.

More information and Photos at:  http://www.buffalofirefighters.com/

Wake:

Thursday, February 23, 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Friday, February 24, 2:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.
Quinn Funeral Home
192 Abbott Road
Buffalo, New York

Funeral:

Saturday, February, 25 at 10:30 a.m.
Our Lady of Victory Basilica
South Park Avenue & Ridge Road
Lackawanna, New York

Burial:

Saturday, February 25
Holy Cross Cemetery
Ridge Road & South Park Avenue
Lackawanna, New York