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Thousands turned out in the pouring rain Saturday for the funeral services at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Islip, Long Island for the FDNY Lieutenant killed in a Bronx fire. Lt. Howard Carpluk worked for engine company 42 in the Bronx and was a 20-year veteran of the force. He and rookie firefighter Michael Reilly died Sunday after the floor of a Bronx store collapsed during a fire. Reilly, who was also a Marine, was buried yesterday in Ramsey, New Jersey. Thousands, including Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the top brass of the FDNY, attended the solemn ceremony. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta says faulty wiring may be to blame. NY1's Amanda Farinacci was in Islip for Carpluk's funeral and filed the following report. A steady and unforgiving rain fell as thousands of firefighters lined the quiet streets of Islip, Long Island to say goodbye to Lieutenant Howard Carpluk. "Great guy,"said retired FDNY firefighter Tom Dunn. "Very ambitious guy, in great shape, and very knowledgeable, just an all around good guy." Carpluk, a 20-year veteran, was killed when he and dozens of other firefighters raced to a fire in a 99 cent store last weekend in the Bronx. Carpluk and probationary firefighter Michael Reilly were trapped when the floor collapsed. Reilly died shortly after and Carpluk succumbed to his injuries the next day. Carpluk's last words were of concern for his probie, the FDNY term for a firefighter still in training – something that didn't come as a surprise to many. "He's responsible for that probie and he knows it and he was good at it,"said retired firefighter Bob Beckwith. "So, I give him a lot of credit." Carpluk was eulogized by his wife, Debbie, who recalled a man who hasn't stopped playing practical jokes since she met him at age 17, a man who loved to cook but not clean up, a man devoted to his family at home and at the firehouse. His friend, Lieutenant Steve Wall, also spoke, praising his friend Howie the carpenter, softball player and constant teacher to his probies and the volunteer companies out on Long Island. "We have a lot of city fireman in our department – they're very instrumental in education, knowledge. They pass it on to us – it's good."said volunteer firefighter John Lotten. "Tremendous [loss]. I can't describe it. It's really bad." In addition to his wife, Carpluk leaves behind his son Bradley and his daughter Paige. At the funeral, Debbie Carpluk told her kids she doesn't know how she'll fill her husband's shoes.
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