Firefighter Dennis Mulligan, 32, was an eight-year veteran with the FDNY, assigned to Ladder 2 the entire time. As a teenager, this confirmed bachelor had originally planned to be a pediatrician, but firefighter turned out to be his true calling. On the side he formed a successful trucking business with other firefighters and invested in real estate with others from Ladder 2. He is the 7th and last member of his Ladder Company to be listed here.
I think his nickname among family and friends was “Overboard Carl” for his generosity of spirit and because he would always give more than you expected. “It was his nature to give.” Firefighter Carl Molinaro is the sixth of seven members of Ladder 2 lost on 9/11.
Firefighter Daniel Harlin, 41, was an avid deer hunter. He and his wife moved to rural Putnam County to have more outdoors in their lives before he became the father of three. Danny was a member of Ladder 2/Battalion 8 for more than a decade.
Firefighter Denis Germain had three citations for bravery in seven years with the FDNY. He loved to ski and was always one of the best skiers for the department’s annual downhill race at Hunter Mountain. Teams of 5 spread out along a 50-ft hose and race down the mountain – no poles – hopefully staying upright and not letting go. Inevitably hoses get tangled and hilariousness ensues. Germain, 33, was also a ski instructor and trained high school racing teams. “He was the role model you want your child to grow up to be.”
Nicknamed “Holy Man” at the firehouse for his passion as a Jehovah’s Witness, Firefighter George DiPasquale, 33, was an imposing 6’5″ tall. “He was a man who practiced what he preached,” said his father-in-law. He so loved helping people that firefighting was a natural fit. His daughter was 20 months old that September.
Michael Clarke, 27, was the son of a NYPD officer but he always wanted to be a firefighter. As a toddler his dad gave him one of those little red engines to peddle around. On the force since 1998, he was pleased when transferred from Staten Island to Ladder 2 “because there was so much more action in Manhattan.” September 11th had been a scheduled day off, but he had switched shifts with another firefighter.
In 1999, Capt Frederick Ill, Jr. made front page news when he leapt down into the subway tracks to rescue a man whose legs had been severed when he was pushed in front of a train. Less well know is that he watched over the man’s rehabilitation and found scholarships for his children. Stories place Capt. Ill around the 17th floor of the North Tower. Told to evacuate, he said “Let me get my guys first.” His guys were the six other men of Ladder Co. 2 who perished in the North Tower with him.
Firefighter Robert Parro, 35, was an 8-year veteran who loved his job. A lifetime resident of Levittown on Long Island, he was apparently a great neighbor to have as he was a skillful handyman and would often help on others’ home projects. He was the only member of Engine 8 lost on 9/11.
Engine 8 shares its firehouse with Ladder 2.
Firefighter Thomas McCann, 46, was assigned to Battalion 8. Many firefighters have other jobs on the side; his was with the Exhibition Employees Union Local 829 where he had recently been named a trustee.
Thomas DeAngelis, 51, had been a Battalion Chief for five years. When promoted, his wife said that now, after 22 years of running into burning buildings, as a BC, he wouldn’t have to do that any more. But she knew he’d never send a firefighter into to a building he hadn’t personally entered and checked out. Sometimes called “Chuckles” at the firehouse for his good humor, he dreamed of writing a children’s book one day. Father of three, he only had two years as a grandfather.