Monthly Archives: February 2015

Firefighter Jonathan Ielpi

Posted on February 18, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Jonathan Ielpi, 29, was a very talented hockey player who gave it up completely when he joined the FDNY just so he would never injure himself and impair his work as a firefighter. That’s how much he loved the job. … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Jonathan Ielpi, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Squad Co. 288, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Joseph Hunter

Posted on February 17, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Joseph Hunter, 32, was 6’2” and a “stunningly handsome” bachelor. He loved fire trucks from when he was a little boy and would race his Big Wheel to the corner to watch every time he heard the siren wail. Later … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Joseph Hunter, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Squad Co. 288, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Ronnie Gies

Posted on February 16, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Ronnie Gies, 43, graduated Probie School in 1988 and by 1990 had moved into Special Operations with Squad 288 in Queens. For 25 years, Gies had also been a volunteer firefighter in Merrick, Long Island where he lived. He was … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Ronnie Gies, Squad Co. 288, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Lt. Ronald Kerwin

Posted on February 15, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Lt. Ronnie Kerwin, 42, was “the fun parent” according to his wife, always suggesting family outings. Some of these were spontaneous, some were planned. All were fun. Appointed in 1981, Kerwin was a 20-year veteran with the FDNY and a … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Ronald Kerwin, Squad Co. 288, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Durrell Pearsall

Posted on February 14, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Durrell Pearsall, 34, was called “Bronko.” At 6’2” and 285 pounds, he could bench press 455 “easily.” He dreamed of becoming a fireman from an early age. Following in his father’s footsteps, he began his career as a volunteer with … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, Durrell Pearsall, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Peter Nelson

Posted on February 13, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Peter Nelson, 42, had 15 years with the FDNY, all spent at Ladder 151. He was transferred to Rescue 4 only in July. His father was a retired FDNY assistant chief. Both his father and brother were firefighters and Nelson … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, Peter Nelson, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter William Mahoney

Posted on February 12, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

William J. Mahoney II, 37, was a 15-year FDNY veteran. Mahoney had previously worked as a NYPD scuba diver, skills he also used with the FDNY, assisting with the search and recovery effort after the crash of TWA Flight 800. … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, William Mahoney, WTC | 2 Comments

Firefighter Terrence Farrell

Posted on February 11, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Terrence Farrell, 45, was the father of two. As a transit police officer, Farrell had specialized in disasters, excellent preparation for joining Rescue 4. When Farrell first joined the FDNY, his blood was added to a donor bank for possible … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, Terrence Farrell, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment

Firefighter Peter Brennan

Posted on February 10, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Peter Brennan, 30, began his firefighting career at 16 when he joined the Lakeland Volunteer Fire Department. The Hauppauge Fire Department awarded him the 2000 “Medal of Valor.” More recently, he’d stopped at a fire and – still in street … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, Peter Brennan, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, World Trade Center, WTC | 2 Comments

Lt. Kevin Dowdell

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Dawn Siebel

Lt. Kevin Dowdell was 20 years in and didn’t want to retire. He loved Rescue 4. He never put in for captain because he didn’t want to leave Rescue. “I’d rather be a happy lieutenant,” he often said. In the … Continue reading →

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged 343, 9/11, better angels, Dawn Siebel, FDNY, firefighter, firefighters, firefighters of 9/11, Kevin Dowdell, LODD, Manhattan, memorial, NFFF, paintings, portraits, Rescue Co. 4, Rescue Four, World Trade Center, WTC | Leave a comment