Tunnel to Towers Foundation surprises family of Martin 'Woody' McHale in 'life-changing' moment at Islanders game

Hope McHale described her husband, Martin “Woody” McHale, as “larger than life.”

“Woody,” the nickname that Hope knew him by when they met, was a New York City firefighter who died at age 50 in December 2012.

He joined the FDNY in 1989, worked in Brooklyn’s Engine 252 and was promoted to fire marshal in 1999. He arrived before the towers collapsed on 9/11, and he was the recipient of several medals and awards throughout his career.

“Physically, he was very muscular, but he had a huge heart and an even bigger personality,” said Hope, who lives in Manhasset with her 17-year-old twin sons, Matthew and Ryan. “When he walked into a room, he got everybody's attention. He was just an amazing guy, and everybody loved him.

“He loved the FDNY, but he loved his children more than anything in the world, and that was probably his biggest accomplishment.”

On Saturday night, the Islanders and the Tunnel to Towers Foundation partnered to honor the McHale family with a surprise presentation during the team’s game against the Lightning at UBS Arena. They paid off the mortgage on their Manhasset home and committed to taking care of college tuition for the twins, seniors at Manhasset High School.

“There are absolutely no words that can express our gratitude for everything that the Islanders and Tunnel to Towers just did for us,” an emotional Hope said. “It's life-changing for us. Obviously, nothing can bring back their dad, my husband. But it helps ease some pressure on us.”

The surprise took place during the second TV timeout of the first period. Islanders co-owner Jon Ledecky, Butch Goring and Frank Vogt, Tunnel to Towers’ vice president in the line of duty, presented the family with a giant check. Saturday night’s crowd of 17,345 roared in applause.

The Islanders and Tunnel to Towers honored the family of fallen firefighter Martin “Woody” McHale, who was an NYC firefighter during 9/11 and passed away in 2012, and paid off their mortgage. Crowd loved it. https://t.co/pcrXPFhlKV

— Ben Dickson (@bendickson__) October 11, 2026

Ryan said the moment was “crazy,” and Matthew added that it was “life-changing.”

Hope said it was a “complete surprise” and the information they received prior was “very vague.” She knew that they wanted to honor her husband, and part of the reason was because of their proximity to UBS Arena, but that was it.

The Tunnel to Towers Foundation did want to pick someone local to the Islanders as part of ts effort to deliver 343 mortgage-free homes this year in tribute to the 343 FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11. But the reason why the McHales were selected was much deeper.

“When I saw the application and I heard about Woody, I said, 'this is a great American,'” Vogt said. “This is someone who was at the pits on 9/11, looking for people like my uncle Stephen Siller [a firefighter in Brooklyn’s Squad 1 who died on 9/11). He was an FDNY football team captain. He played for them for 20 years, and 12 years he was the captain.

“But more than that, he was a great husband and a father, and his legacy is these two children.”

Vogt also was blown away by the McHale family.

“Hope has this — she has hope,” he said. “She's a positive person. She has this big heart. Just as she describes Woody, it's how she is as well. This really strong heart, makes a strong connection with people.

“And the boys, whatever she's done with her boys to grow them up after they lost their father at a young age is such an amazing job because they're such gentlemen. They look you in the eye. They're very polite, very kind. All teenagers are wild at heart. I know, I have them. But these guys are also gentlemen, and so she's done the job. She's done an amazing job. We're just here to help her continue to grow.”

Hope noted that Manhasset is “full of Islanders fans” and said that a bunch of the players live in Manhasset.

The night was part of the Islanders’ Hockey With a Heart initiative, which has distributed more than $2 million to nonprofit organizations since UBS Arena opened in 2021.

“I think it's incredible that Tunnel for Towers was able to help so many families in conjunction with the Islanders,” Hope said. “They probably know, but to be a recipient is life-changing and very overwhelming, and we are very appreciative. This is huge.”