Those were the three passions of Paul Warhola, a man for whom hundreds of mourners gathered at Sinnickson Funeral Home in Center Moriches Monday night to pay their last respects.
Warhola, 47, of Eastport, a 15-year veteran Fire Department of New York firefighter and first responder to the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center, suffered an apparent stroke while answering a fire alarm activation in Brooklyn on Aug. 12. He died two days later at Bellevue Hospital.
A husband and father of a boy and a girl, Warhola was remembered fondly by his co-workers and those who saw him dote on his wife and children.
"He's a really great husband and father and great friend," said Jude Provost, Warhola's next-door neighbor. "His wife is my best friend. They had a healthy marriage and they were very much in love."
Capt. Brian Johnston, Warhola's superior officer at Engine 221 in Williambsburg, said he was a source of calm even during the stressful, life-threatening moments of a firefighter's life.
"He was a true leader in the house," Johnston said. "He took special pride in taking in the young guys in the house."
He recalled Warhola carrying in batches of freshly caught fish to share with his fellow firefighters. That was just his way, friends said - to share what he had with friends and family.
Johnston said the firefighters were "devastated." He added: "It was really unexpected and it's been a long few days."
Warhola was a hit among the young people who watched him in action, too, especially his own children.
Brandon Gurnick, 14, who attends school with Paul Jr., Warhola's son, said the younger Paul would beam with pride when speaking of his father.
"He talked about his dad being a firefighter a lot," Gurnick said. "And [of him] working in the city. He was really proud of it."
Susan Alpert, whose daughter, Brooke plays soccer with Tiana, Warhola's daughter, said "he was a sweet, loving, gentle, caring, mellow, nice person."
She paused to reflect on Warhola's family, how they are dealing with the tragedy.
"I can't imagine what the kids are going through," she said. "He was far too young. How do you justify that? It's so sad."
