“To better protect New York.” That is the FDNY mission and it’s also the sentiment firefighter William ‘Billy’ Moon embodied through and through - even after his tragic passing.
Moon joined the fire department in 2002. He started his career at Ladder Company 133 in Queens, where he worked for 20 years before joining Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, one of the most elite companies in the FDNY. Moon was also a member of the Islip Volunteer Fire Department on Long Island and served as their Chief of Department in 2017. Simply put, Moon was the blueprint for New York’s bravest. The unwavering courage to run toward danger coupled with his gentle compassion toward the vulnerable, it was clear to all, being a firefighter was in Moon’s DNA. He put his life on the line countless times to save those in need. Why? In Moon’s eyes, there was no other option. Moon’s passion for his job was unmistakable and he took his firefighter duties seriously. But something he took even more seriously was his other role - dad.
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“To better protect New York.” That is the FDNY mission and it’s also the sentiment firefighter William ‘Billy’ Moon embodied through and through - even after his tragic passing.
Moon joined the fire department in 2002. He started his career at Ladder Company 133 in Queens, where he worked for 20 years before joining Rescue Company 2 in Brooklyn, one of the most elite companies in the FDNY. Moon was also a member of the Islip Volunteer Fire Department on Long Island and served as their Chief of Department in 2017. Simply put, Moon was the blueprint for New York’s bravest. The unwavering courage to run toward danger coupled with his gentle compassion toward the vulnerable, it was clear to all, being a firefighter was in Moon’s DNA. He put his life on the line countless times to save those in need. Why? In Moon’s eyes, there was no other option. Moon’s passion for his job was unmistakable and he took his firefighter duties seriously. But something he took even more seriously was his other role - dad.
When you become a parent, you’re working 24-hour shifts, no paid time off, and there isn’t a uniform to take off at the end of the day. Sounds rough for some, but fortunately for Moon, being a dad was his favorite job. Moon was a dedicated father to his two children. He made sure to always be present in their lives and he set an example for them at an early age to have compassion for all those around them. Most kids only see superheroes on the big screen or read about them in comic books. His children just had to walk into their kitchen and see, sitting at the table, the greatest superhero alive - their dad.
But in the blink of an eye, tragedy struck. On December 12, 2022, Moon was in the middle of routine skyscraper rescue training in Ocean Hill when he fell 20 feet in a freak accident. After being rushed to the hospital where his doctors did all they could to save the hero’s life, Moon succumbed to his injuries. Heartbreak could be felt across the city - one of New York’s bravest gone too soon. But as tragedy set in, his wife Kristina and children now faced with the reality of losing their superhero, there was a light ready to shine through.
Overwhelmed with the loss of her best friend, Moon’s wife found comfort in her husband’s courageous decision to donate his organs. She knew her husband would want to help as many people as possible and was a vocal supporter of organ donation. For Kristina, the decision to support donation was simple because she knew that’s what her husband would have wanted. Because of Moon’s selflessness and Kristina’s strength, the lives of five people were saved through organ donation, including two firefighters.
“Loving Billy was not only a marriage of families but a marriage to the Fire Department. His love and passion for the job extended far from the firehouse walls. He instilled that same passion in our children and always talked about how important it was to help others. We are eternally grateful for the Christmas miracles that Billy will now be able to give to others,” said Kristina Moon.
Moon dedicated his life to helping the people of New York, and that altruistic trait extended to his family. Kristina has continued to honor Moon’s legacy by being a vocal advocate for organ donation. She shares Moon’s story with the media and speaks at public events to offer her support of giving the gift of life. Thanks to Moon’s wife and their two children, his memory will be kept alive. Their resilience ensures Moon’s selfless decision to be an organ donor hero - and the profound impact it made - will never be forgotten.
Moon’s gift of life is an inspiration and has left a powerful legacy, but the need for organ donation remains great. More than 8,000 people in New York State are currently on the organ transplant waiting list and more than 100,000 are waiting across the nation, hoping that a donor hero will save their lives.
Anyone can be an organ donor hero like firefighter Moon. This path to heroism, upon our passing, requires only that we be compassionate, generous, and willing to help others live on through organ and tissue donation. Moon chose the noble path of donation and will remain a hero in death just as he was a hero in life.
To learn more about how you can become an organ donor hero, please visit LiveOnNY.org.
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