‘Da pride of Flatbush’ retired FDNY FF Gerard O’Donnell gets a surprise for his 85th birthday

Retired FDNY FF Gerard O’Donnell spent much of his career at Ladder 147. He worked during the recovery efforts after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, despite turning in his equipment to retire on the 10th. He raised three firefighter sons, and mentored many younger firefighters.

He received a surprise on his 85th birthday, when a number of firefighters crashed his birthday party at a Queens restaurant, reports The Wave  

John Tracy, who worked with Gerard at L-147, told reporters, “He is a legend, no one could say anything bad about him.”

Posted in 9/11 Community | Comments closed

Daughter of 9/11 hero NYPD Officer Ramon Suarez follows in dad’s footsteps, becomes NYPD officer

Jillian Suarez, who was 9 years old on September 11, 2001, when her father, NYPD Officer Ramon Suarez, was killed responding to the World Trade Center terrorist attacks, has become an NYPD officer herself reports News 12.

She graduated from the academy in 2018, and works with the 9 Precinct.

She and her mother plan to start a foundation to give scholarships to students at P.S. 239/Police Officer Ramon Suarez School in Queens.

Posted in Families in the News | Comments closed

West Islip street renamed in honor of fallen 9/11 FDNY Firefighter Joseph R. Rivelli, Jr.

FDNY Firefighter Joseph R. Rivelli, Jr., 43, was honored 20 years after his death in the 9/11 terrorist attacks with a street re-dedication in his hometown of West Islip, reports Maureen Mullarkey for the West Islip Patch.

FF Rivelli worked for Ladder 25 and was an 18-year veteran of the FDNY. He was planning to retire after 20 years to become an airline pilot.

Posted in 9/11 Memorials, Families in the News | Comments closed