Michael C. Reilly, 25, a former Stratford firefighter who joined the New York Fire Department in July, died fighting a blaze in the Bronx on Sunday. His life is being memorialized in Stratford by the mayor, fire chief and former coworkers.

Reilly joined the Stratford Fire Department in 2003 and was also a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve. In 2004 his reserve unit was called to active duty in Iraq. After just under a year overseas, he returned to the U.S. and his job fighting fires in Stratford. Reilly was unmarried and lived in Sleepy Hollow, N.Y. He joined the NYFD on July 6 after completing the 13-week FDNY Academy.

"Mike Reilly was an extraordinary young man," said SFD chief Ron Nattrass. "He was very competent and cooperative. He always had a smile on his face." He added that black bunting has been draped on the fire house and two busloads of firefighters will be going to NYC on Friday for the funeral.

Nattrass recalled that a short time after Reilly returned from his tour of duty in Iraq he told him he had an opportunity to join the New York City Fire Department. "He was very considerate of our department," Nattrass said. The chief added that he advised Reilly "to weigh it all out," but he knew that being one of New York's bravest was Reilly's childhood dream.

Stratford Mayor James R. Miron issued the following statement: "The town of Stratford joins the city of New York in honoring the passing of Firefighter Michael C. Reilly, who passed away on Aug. 27 while fighting a fire in the Bronx. I have ordered the flags on all town buildings lowered to half-staff in memory of Firefighter Reilly, who so bravely served our community before moving on to pursue his life-long dream of working as a New York City firefighter. I ask all members of our community to keep Firefighter Reilly's family, friends and fellow firefighters in their thoughts and prayers during this difficult time."

Mike Tiberio, a Stratford firefighter who joined the department at the same time as Reilly said, "I spoke to him a week and a half ago. He couldn't have been happier." Tiberio added that Reilly had chosen Engine Company 75 in the Bronx because it was one of the busiest stations in the five boroughs of New York. "He told me there were five guys named Reilly in that fire house," said Tiberio.

"I'm glad I knew him. He was an outstanding individual," said Mike Tiberio, adding that when Reilly was growing up in Ramsey, N..J., Reilly decided to become a fireman. "For him it wasn't just a job, it was a passion," said Tiberio.

Reilly and Tiberio were part of "the three Mikes." On March 3, 2003 Mike Reilly, Mike Tiberio and Mike Bruneau reported to work as the newest members of the Stratford Fire Department. They had just graduated from the Connecticut Fire Academy at Windsor Locks.

Of the 18 cadets, Reilly was the youngest and Tiberio was the eldest. "We always tried to outdo each other it was a running joke," said, Tiberio. He added that during the 10-week training, the class was divided into four squads and Reilly was chosen as one of the squad leaders. "He was my leader," said Tiberio.

When "the three Mikes" took their positions at the firehouse in Stratford, Reilly and Tiberio were on different shifts. As one man was ending a long day the other was just reporting for duty. They often used the shift changes as an opportunity to chat. Tiberio said that's when the two men got to know each other on a deeper level.

"He was very organized and meticulous, yet he wanted people to think of him as this wild Irishman," said Tiberio. He added that on one hand his friend was a fun-loving guy, but on the other hand he had his whole life planned out including retirement from the NYFD at age 54.

"He was just starting his life. He had his plans and dreams. I am 47, I lived my life. That is the greatest tragedy," said Tiberio.