Christopher W. McCormack

Christopher “Butch” McCormack was born in New York City on December 13, 1948, to his parents, John and Elizabeth McCormack. Chris was the oldest of three sons. with brothers John and Patrick. He became an altar boy at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and graduated from St. Agnes High School. Chris was a proud veteran of the Vietnam War. He was drafted into the Army in June of 1968 and served two years in field combat with the 101st Airborne Division. He received many awards and medals for outstanding leadership and service. After his service, he worked for a trucking company and always made time for surfing. He continued surfing even during the cold weather. Another favorite activity for Chris was skydiving. He had over 140 jumps and started doing group formations. On November 7, 1981, he was appointed as a fireman to Engine 59 in Harlem in New York City. He loved the men in this firehouse and said it was a real brotherhood. The men were tough and great firefighters. The house became known as the “Harlem Zoo,” because they were so busy. Many had animal names such as “the Bear” and “Canine.” They renamed Chris “Butch,” because they felt the name Chris sounded too wimpy. Chris always said that to be happy there you had to be tough and have a good sense of humor. If you could not take a joke, that was not the place to be. Chris remained there until his retirement in November of 2002 after his heart surgery. He was always proud reflecting on the memories of the “Harlem Zoo.” Chris loved outdoor sports. He had a beautiful condo in Vermont where he and his wife, Maryann, enjoyed the fall foliage and snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. Chris also liked scuba diving or snorkeling for lobsters in the Florida Keys. After a busy day on the water, he liked to relax with a rum cocktail (or two or three) at the Tiki Bar. In the summer, he loved boating and fishing on Long Island, always trying to catch the Big One even if it meant staying on the boat from morning to night! When our nieces and nephews were young, he showed them all how to fish. To this day, they all love fishing and have their own equipment. Water and fishing are part of his legacy. On November 10, 2024, Christopher lost his battle to kidney cancer, a 9/11-related disease. His passing is a terrible loss to anyone who knew him, especially his fellow firefighters, family, and friends. It is a devastating loss for his wife, Maryann, with whom he shared over 46 years together as husband and wife and best friends. He will never be forgotten. We will love him forever!