The children of the three firemen who died in the Astoria blaze last month are still asking how their lives will go on without their dads.
“Who will tighten our skates?” asks Gerard Ford, 10.
Seven-year-old Joanne Downing wants to know, “Who will mow the lawn?”
Twins Patrick and James Fahey, 3, ask their mother every night, “When is daddy coming home?”
Denise Ford, Anne Downing and Mary Fahey try to explain – again and again – that Harry Ford, John Downing and Brian Fahey are gone.
Together, the men left behind eight children.
The women met yesterday with Post reporters to thank the city and the newspaper’s generous readers for their contributions of more than $800,000 to a fund established for their children.
With less than a week to go, The Post and the Uniformed Firefighters Association are hoping the fund will reach $1 million.
“It’s not going to bring John, Harry and Brian back, but at least we know that the children will be OK financially,” Anne Downing said.
For now, the children are struggling to understand why their fathers died June 17.
“Daddy’s at the firehouse, daddy’s at the firehouse!” Michael Downing, 2, says hopefully.
Michael’s older sister, Joanne, goes to sleep at night wearing her father’s FDNY T-shirt. She still writes letters to her dad, telling him how much she loves him and misses him.
“It just breaks your heart,” Downing said. “It may be a tough road and a long road, but thank God I have these children.”
Since their dad died, the twins and Brendan, 8, all sleep in the same bed with Mary Fahey.
“We just want to stay close,” Fahey said.
Gerard Ford asked his mother if he could cut his parent’s bed in half so that he could bring the part where his father slept to his room.
Harry Jr., 12, has quickly become the man of the house.
For now, the three women are finding solace laughing and telling stories about their husbands.
“We’ll forever be joined together because of this,” Ford said.