By Ivan Pereira
Thursday, July 8, 2010
The friends and family of TyAnthony Duckette, 8, and toddler Daniel Wilson said the death of the boys in a house fire three weeks ago has devastated them, but they have found some solace in the bravery the elder brother showed when he rushed back into the burning building.
During the siblings’ funeral service at the Church of God Prophecy in St. Albans June 30, mourners reflected on the lives of the two boys. Although TyAnthony, his grandmother and two siblings were able to get out of their 182nd Street Springfield Gardens home as a fire ripped throughthe duplex on June 17, the 8-year-old ran back inside to try and rescue Daniel.
TyAnthony and his 17-month-old half brother did not make it out alive.
Tyronne Duckette, the elder boy’s father, became emotional as he reflected on his son’s heroism during blaze. Holding back tears as he spoke, the father said the boy’s unselfishness was an example that should be emulated by future generations.
“TyAnthony showed us what we as young black men are lacking,” he said. “TyAn showed enough courage and strength to go back into a burning building and get back to his brother,” he said.
Duckette said he was broken up after his son died, yet relieved when he saw the boy in a dream the night of the fire.
“He said, ‘Daddy, I love you…No more hurt. No more pain,” he said.
Voices rang out in joyful hyms as two small white coffins sat in front of the altar at the church on 194-15 Linden Blvd. The boys’ brothers wore white tuxedos and the sisters wore white dresses. On the back of the program distributed at the funeral, a tribute from Donna M. Smith said: “Mommy, we know you loved us, but God loves us best.”
The blaze, which firefighters say may have started from a faulty light fixture, swept through the home quickly that morning. The boys’ grandmother Carlota Wilson, and Tyann, a sister, and Phillip Wilson, a brother, escaped the fire along with some tenants who lived in the basement and top floor of the house.
Their mother, Sonia Wilson, was not in the house during the fire and did not speak during the service.
In turn, mourners offered their condolences by reminiscing about how well behaved and caring the boys were. Tyronne Duckette, who collapsed outside the church before the service, said people would always remark how mature his son was.
“Anyone that came into contact with TyAnthony, [would] love him,” he said.
Although Daniel was one the youngest member of Wilson’s family, relatives recalled how he would enjoy going to mass love to shout out “Hallelujah.” In a biography handed out to parishioners, the toddler was described as having “the personality to make everyone feel appreciated.”
Before the brothers were buried at Pinelawn Memorial Park, the principal of TyAnthony’s school presented his mother with a special letter.
Beverly Mitchell, who heads PS 37 in Springfield Gardens, recalled how the second grader would always help out, putting chairs away and looking to see if all of his classmates had left the building at the end of the day.
She said she was not surprised when she heard about what the boy had done for his young sibling since he always showed leadership qualities.
“The sense of responsibility and love did not allow him to stop when his brother was in danger,” she said.