Tag Archives: WTC

Firefighter Michael Ragusa

Michael Ragusa, 29, was on the FDNY’s waiting list for seven years before he was able to join the force in 1999. He was based with Engine 250 in Brooklyn, but was on rotation to Engine 279 on 9/11. He … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Firefighter Ronnie Henderson

There were 17 marines in the FDNY who died on 9/11 and Ronnie Henderson, 52, was one of them. A marine for 12 years, then 8 years in the National Guard, his service ranged from Vietnam through the first Gulf … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lt. Anthony Jovic

Lt. Anthony Jovic, 39, was based with Ladder Company 34 in Washington Heights, but on 9/11 he was assigned to Engine Company 279. Just on the other side of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, Engine 279 was among the first to … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

FIrefighter Daniel Suhr

Firefighter Daniel Suhr spent ten years as a middle linebacker for the Brooklyn Mariners, a semi-pro team. He was “a big brave man who could get mushy over his 2-year-old daughter.” He was called “Captain America,” perhaps because he looked … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Lt. Robert Wallace

Based with Engine 205, Lt. Robert Wallace was the covering officer for Engine 226 on 9/11, so he responded with DeRubbio, McAleese and Smagala. In an odd twist of fate, all the men who responded with Engine 205 survived that … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firefighter Stanley Smagala, Jr.

  On 9/11, there were 52 women pregnant with children fathered by men who died that day. I do not know how many were the wives of firefighters. One was married to Firefighter Stanley Smagala Jr., 36. and their baby … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firefighter Brian McAleese

Brian McAleese, 36, was one of five siblings in a tight Irish-American family. One of his brothers also became a firefighter like their dad. Another became an NYPD detective. Based with Engine 226, McAleese joined the FDNY in 1994, and … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Firefighter David DeRubbio

David DeRubbio, 38, was the fifth of seven children born and raised in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. Three of his four brothers became firefighters. One was a Battalion Chief, two more were based with engine companies in Bed-Stuy. Dave finished his … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firefighter Kevin Reilly

The third and final member of Engine 207 was Kevin Reilly, 28. Normally stationed with Ladder 40 in the Bronx – the same firehouse that had been his father’s – he was on rotation into Engine 207 on 9/11. Reilly … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Firefighter Shawn Powell

Shawn Powell, 32, was an artist and a woodcarver. He sometimes made props for local theatre productions. He was studying architecture. 
Powell married his high school sweetheart in 1989, joined the army and was stationed mainly in Germany for his … Continue reading

Posted in Better Angels Stories | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment