The fellowship of firefighters came together to grant the last wish of Auburn Fire Department Capt. William Petrosino.

Fast-moving lung cancer left the 18-year AFD veteran weakened this week. It was important to Petrosino to pass away at home, so the AFD pulled strings to fly Petrosino on a Mercy Flight from the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Zion, Ill.

He was home on VanAnden Street, Auburn, Tuesday. A day later, he died in the presence of family, friends and fellow firefighters.

Petrosino's death has shaken the close-knit family of the city's front-line first responders. It was a sad night as they lowered the flag at the downtown firehouse. In an unusual move, they had a moment of silence before a meal of pasta, chicken parmesan and salad the night crew had prepared together. Auburn city councilors also remembered Petrosino during a moment of silence at Thursday night's meeting.

“I would describe Billy as very conscientious, unflappable. He was like a rock, ” said Auburn Fire Department Assistant Chief Jim Lattimore.

Petrosino, 54, was in charge of the rescue truck and the two hook-and-ladder trucks, which carry all the AFD's heavy rescue tools.

“It requires a special kind of person (for that job),” Lattimore said. “They fight a fire on the roof. When you're in an engine company, you're on the water line. It's a thinking man's job. You have to be really analytical, and Billy was analytical.”

Petrosino graduated the top of his class from the state Fire Academy in Montour Falls. He was first promoted to an officer rank in 1999 and was then promoted again to captain in 2002. Petrosino also had a 30-year career with his Custom Welding business on State Street of Auburn.

Petrosino worked with the AFD up until a couple of months ago. Lattimore was working the shift with Petrosino when he came down with what was initially thought to be pneumonia.

The city's firefighters have the “presumptive” worry the cancer was a result of Petrosino's job, Lattimore said.

“It just shows you the inherent dangers of the job,” he said.

Throughout his out-of-state treatment, local Illinois firefighters checked in periodically with Petrosino.

There was one last ride for Petrosino in a firetruck as firefighters carried his remains Wednesday from his home to the White Chapel Funeral Home.