10/21/2025
Brother Steve Spellman was one of our amazing Tunnel to Towers mobile 9/11 exhibit guides. He spoke with so many and his impact was felt by all. RIP Brother Steve. We will take it from here. Never Forget
With much sorrow and regret, we inform you of the sudden and premature passing of Stephen Spellman, a retired former member of L37 at the age of 57.
Steve began his FDNY career in 1996. Steve was originally assigned to L9 in the Village and was a firefighter at E33/L9 on 9/11 when "Bowery U" lost 10 of our Brothers in the collapse of the WTC Towers. Firefighters like Steve, who held their companies together in the aftermath of the devastating 9/11 losses are in large part the reason why the FDNY has persevered.
In 2004, Steve transferred into L37 where he was immediately given the handle, Old Man Spelly. Younger firefighters in E79/L37 were told (and believed) that Steve served our Country during the Vietnam War. Steve's first year in our firehouse, the Deputy Chief conducting House Inspection thought we were playing a prank on him when he asked for the junior firefighter in L37 to go over the rig, and Steve stepped forward.
Steve was a courageous, knowledgeable firefighter who was an excellent chauffeur that drove the truck with incredible speed and precision from the moment he arrived on Briggs Avenue.
Steve lived a very caring life filled with service to others and volunteerism both inside and outside the firehouse. Steve was a firefighter, a Navy Veteran, a friend, a father and a family man who always stood up for everything that was important, and he was the type of guy to step up to help whoever, whenever there was a job or project to be done.
In Retirement, Steve volunteered in the mobile Tunnel 2 Towers "9/11 Never Forget Exhibit" that went around to educate civilians nationwide about the events of 9/11. Fittingly, during one of the 9/11 Exhibits, someone approached him and they were chatting about a recent storm and she casually mentioned that her front storm door was destroyed in the recent hurricane, and that she needed to wait to have it replaced. Steve found out the woman's address, drove 4 hours from his home to her house; and he bought and installed a new door for her at no charge. That gesture may very well demonstrate Steve's attitude whenever something needed to be done; he did it without reservation or fanfare.
We express our sincerest condolences to Steve's wife Nancy, his daughter Kristen, his son Stephen and the legion of friends that Steve has made along the course of his virtuous life.
We will miss Steve's no nonsense, giving spirit and we will long remember his friendship and so many positive contributions to this life. May Steve Rest in Eternal Peace. Thank you for your life of Service to others. Godspeed.
