Jefferson Crowther died in New York city on Feb. 15 after a long illness. He was 73 and was a former seasonal resident of Chilmark and father of the late Welles Remy Crowther, a 9/11 hero.

A devoted volunteer fireman in Nyack, N.Y., Jefferson passed on his love of firefighting to his son. Known as the Man With the Red Bandana, Welles is credited with saving more than a dozen people in the South Tower of the World Trade Center, before perishing himself. Welles had receved his red bandana from his father and always carried with him.

Jefferson Crowther was born on August 16, 1945, in White Plains, N.Y., a son of Florence and Bosley Crowther, a longtime New York Times film critic. He attended the George School in Philadelphia and New York University, where he studied business, and worked in numerous banks in New York. He also served in the U.S. Navy. He was always active in the Empire Hook and Ladder Co. No. 1 in Nyack, where he was the tiller man who steers the back of the truck. In his Vineyard days, there had often been a sailboat tiller in his hand — he was an avid Chilmark sailor.

He is survived by his wife, Alison (Remy) Crowther, whom he met on a blind date on Sept. 11, 1968; two daughters, Honor Fagan and Page Charbonneau, five grandchildren., and a brother, Bosley.

Contributions in his memory can be made to the Welles Remy Crowther Charitable Trust. Box 766, Nyack, N.Y. 10960.