Monthly Archives: August 2014

Firefighter Kevin Bracken

“Drive fast. Take chances.” Time after time, these were the parting words of Firefighter Kevin Bracken to his friends. This lucky man had once walked away from his flipped over car with nary a scratch. On the golf course, a … Continue reading

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Lt. John Ginley

Lt. John Ginley was one of five boys in a family, four of whom became New York City firefighters. They all followed their father (a 20-year FDNY veteran) into his profession. This reserved man was a very involved father with … Continue reading

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Firefighter Mark Whitford

Firefighter Mark Whitford, 31, had twin one-year-old sons. A 1998 graduate of the Fire Academy, Whitford drove the rig for Engine 23. He was born to the job. A natural athlete, he especially excelled at wrestling and was posthumously awarded … Continue reading

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Firefighter Hector Tirado Jr.

Being a firefighter was the favorite of three jobs for Hector Tirado, Jr. He also worked as a waiter and sometimes as a model. He came to the responsibilities of caring for others early. His own parents died when he … Continue reading

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Firefighter James Pappageorge

James Nicholas Pappageorge, 29, came into the FDNY through its EMS Division which he joined in 1995, getting his paramedic degree in 1999. By 2001 he was called up to the FDNY and graduated from the Academy on July 23rd. … Continue reading

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Firefighter Robert McPadden

Robert McPadden, 30, was so good at Jeopardy that others thought they must be watching reruns he had already seen when he shouted out answer after answer. He completed a Masters degree in Criminal Justice while waiting to be called … Continue reading

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Firefighter John Marshall

“A big man with a big heart,” is how Firefighter John Daniel Marshall was described by his friend Lou at his memorial service. Regularly assigned to Ladder 27 in the Bronx, Marshall was on rotation with Engine 23 on 9/11. … Continue reading

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Firefighter John Tipping II

John Tipping II, 33, eventually followed his retired firefighter father into the FDNY, but not before he spent several years focusing more on skiing and snowboarding than on any career. That last winter, he also got his father back onto … Continue reading

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Firefighter Samuel Oitice

Firefighter Samuel Oitice, 45, was a lifelong resident of Peekskill, NY, north of NYC along the Hudson River. He served there as a police officer for 4 years before joining the FDNY in 1992. He remained a volunteer firefighter in … Continue reading

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Firefighter Michael F. Lynch

Michael Francis Lynch, 33, was a big man at 6’5″. Posthumously promoted to Lieutenant, this 230# firefighter like to play toy dinosaurs with his oldest son. On 9/11 he was seen by Tim Brown (of “The Bravest”) wrestling a “Jaws … Continue reading

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