Blood Stored In Minn. Helps Family Bury 9/11 Victim

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A beloved New York City fire battalion chief has been laid to rest nearly 15 years after the 9/11 attacks -- thanks to a discovery made in Minnesota.

Lawrence Stack, 58, was last seen alive September 11, 2001, helping a man who was injured in the early moments of the attack.

His body was never recovered, so he could not have a Catholic funeral mass -- until Friday.

The family recently learned blood Stack donated in 2000 was still in a facility in Minnesota. It was returned to them, and gave them the green light for a proper funeral.

Hundreds of fellow firefighters lined the streets to honor the battalion chief.

Stack's two sons, who are also New York City firefighters, led the escort of their father's remains.

Friday's funeral marked another important day for Stack's family: it would have been his 49th wedding anniversary.

"There's over a thousand that have no closure, and I know it eats away at all the families. And I know for Teri [Stack] today, being their anniversary also, it's a very special, special day," said Daniel Prince, a retired New York City firefighter.

Stack served in the New York Fire Department almost 33 years.