David Martin Weiss FDNY – Rescue 1
David Weiss always wanted to be a firefighter. As a young man, he was an ironworker in New York City and a volunteer firefighter in Freeport, NY. He joined the FDNY in 1989, and October, 1997, while off-duty, he made a daring rescue of a man in a sinking car in the East River. He was selected to join FDNY’s elite Rescue 1 unit in Manhattan, which was his dream come true.
Known for his relentless sense of humor, his impressive muscular build, and his passion for what he did, David Weiss was a larger- than-life personality that made his mark wherever he went. He had true zest for life and it reflected in everything he did and everyone he did it with.
Last seen on the 31st floor of the North Tower of the World Trade Center, continuing up, his remains were never recovered. He was a loving father, son, brother, and friend.
Stephen E. Belson FDNY – Ladder 24
A graduate of Lehman College, he became a “career” lifeguard in Rockaway where he lived for 30 years.
Belson joined the FDNY in 1973 and immediately felt he’d found his niche.
A close friend of Father Mychal Judge, Belson was named an Honarary Irishman by the Consulate General of Ireland.
His love and dedication to his firehouse gave him the label “Mr. Ladder 24.” He was devoted to the firehouse where he spent over two decades.
Alan David Feinberg FDNY – Engine 54
Alan Feinberg was a veteran member of the FDNY having spent nearly 20 years in the FDNY before he lost his life on September 11, 2001.
He began his career at Engine 40/Ladder 35 and later moved to the firehouse known as "The Pride of Midtown" to work as the aide to the Chief for the 9th Battalion.
Alan was 48 years young when he died, but will always be remembered as a "boy who never grew up" by his wife, Wendy, and two children, Tara and Michael.
“To know him was to love him. Our Hero” – Wendy Feinberg
Kevin O'Rourke
Kevin O’Rourke was a specially trained member of the FDNY’s Rescue 2. He lost his life working to evacuate the World Trade Center.
Throughout his career Firefighter O’Rourke received many citations for outstanding distinction, but was often quoted as saying; “I was just doing my job” – a job he loved.
Kevin died along with 342 other members of the New York Fire Department on September 11th.
Moira Smith
Moira Smith was the only female NYPD officer to die on September 11.
Police Officer Smith had seen the attack on the World Trade Center from miles away at the 13th Precinct station house on East 21st St. She could have remained at the station house, but responded to the World Trade Center to evacuate the building and is credited with saving many lives.
Moira died along with 22 other members of the NYPD working to evacuate the World Trade Center.
Police Officer Brian Grady McDonnell
Brian McDonnell was a specially trained officer in NYPD’s Emergency Services Unit. He lost his life working to evacuate the World Trade Center.
Officer McDonnell joined Emergency Services ten months prior to September 11th. The evening before he died, he remarked to his wife how much he loved his work.
Twenty-three officers of the NYPD and thirty-seven officers of the Port Authority Police Department died on September 11th.
Fire Lieutenant Paul T. Mitchell
While driving home after night duty, Lieutenant Paul Mitchell heard that an emergency was unfolding at the World Trade Center. He chose to turn around and borrow gear from his former firehouse in Brooklyn, and rushed with colleagues to Ground Zero.
Lieutenant Mitchell died in the South Tower’s collapse. His remains were not found.
Three hundred forty-three members of the New York Fire Department died on September 11.
Fire Fighter Michael F. Lynch
Michael F. Lynch was born on December 12, 1970 to Kathleen and Jack Lynch. He was the fifth son and seventh child in a family of ten children. Michael lived his entire life in the Throggs Neck community of the Bronx.
Michael had a lean lithe frame but was extremely strong and resilient and often surprised his family by demonstrating extraordinary strength and perseverance. He was a gentle, mild mannered child who just loved life. He loved the outdoors whether he was fishing, playing sports or just having fun with his siblings and friends. Despite his wiry frame, Michael had the ability to spend hours outdoors -no matter how inclement the weather. He was adventurous and had great endurance, traits that later served him well as a firefighter. Michael’s fascination with fire trucks was apparent even as a small child.
Michael attended St. Frances de Chantal grammar school in Throggs Neck. He made life-long friends in this school and built strong relationships in this community which have and will always withstand his death.
As a child, Michael loved music and singing. He found joy in life and expressed it in his love of music. As an adult, he became a popular local DJ and entertained family, friends, and many others in the community.
Michael attended Cardinal Spellman High School in the Bronx. He was Captain of the soccer team and, again, made lasting friendships. He went to Iona College and earned a Bachelor’s Degree. After earning his degree and waiting for admission to the FDNY, Michael worked at Dean Witter in the World Trade Center. He was determined to make his dream of becoming a firefighter a reality.
Michael truly lived every moment of his brief life. When he was not working, he played hockey, softball, golf, and was a scuba diver. He coached a children’s soccer team and DJ’d at local charity events. He loved to go fishing with family and friends.
Michael was an uncle to a generation of nieces and nephews who loved him for his gentleness and his good-nature.
Michael was a young man who had everything to live and hope for in his future. He worked at his dream job, was about to be married, and enjoyed the company of family and friends who loved him for his great sense of humor, his kind nature and his love of fun and life. His last act, this enormous sacrifice, is a source of great sorrow, pain and loss to us, but this act of incredible bravery was not a surprise to those who knew and loved Michael Lynch.
(Written by Kathleen Ann (Lynch) Multerer, sister of Michael F. Lynch)
Damian Peter Meehan
Growing up in a large family in Manhattan's Irish section of Inwood in the 1970's, gave Damian all the necessary essentials for a very happy childhood. Six older brothers, an older sister, and a baby sister set the tone for a perpetual smile and a unique laugh that became a very integral part of his personality.
Damian's loving nature made his life a very happy experience. His easygoing personality endeared him to a wide circle of friends. As a child, he played in Inwood Park and spent his summers at the community his father and other Irish members founded, the “Four Green Fields.”
Damian was a gifted athlete. Gaelic football was a big part of his life from a very young age. He went to play for Donegal and he took immense pride in the fact that he was playing for his parents’ native county.
Most of all, Damian was a family-man in every sense of the word. Damian’s wife Joann and their children reside in Bronxville, NY. Damian, now aged 12 years is going into 7th grade. He is a great young boy, a true gentleman, and has many loving qualities like his Dad. Madison Margaret, aged 10 years, is going into 5th grade and is a beautiful young lady. The children are very fortunate to have such a loving and caring Mother as they do in Joann.
In 2002, the Damian Meehan Memorial Foundation, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization was founded by the Meehan Family Patriarch (Damian’s Dad). The Foundation provides tuition assistance to families in need while supporting a variety of charitable organizations… Damian’s love and kindness sustain and guide us every day of our lives………..until we meet again.
Lieutenant Steven L. Cioffi
Steve became a police officer in 1994 at the age of 22 years old. He moved up in rank to Sergeant in 2000 and then Lieutenant by 2007. Steve was recognized 5 times throughout his career for outstanding police work.
He started out as a rookie in the Central Park Precinct and returned there when he was promoted to Lieutenant. During the terrorist attacks on September 11th, Steve was working in the 41 st precinct in the Bronx. He worked near the pile for months following the attacks, a time that
would be imprinted in his mind for years to come.
One of Steven's greatest attributes was his loyalty as a friend. In the weeks following the attacks, Steve assisted the Lynch family in locating firefighter Michael Lynch, one of Steve's closest friends. Steve grew up in a close-knit community of Throggs Neck, Locust Point in the Bronx. His friends were more like brothers to him. Steve was known best by his nickname, "Yaya". Those that knew him remember Steve from his infectious bright smile, distinctive laugh and genuine nature. He lived life to the fullest always surrounded by close friends, family and colleagues who respected him.
Steve wanted nothing more than to have a family of his own, marrying in 2006 and being blessed with twin boys in 2012. He believed the earlier years of worrying about the aftermath of being at ground zero was behind him. He continued to get monitored and was told he was healthy just 11 months before doctors found a tumor on his brain. December 1st 2012 was the day of diagnosis that would change the course of his life. This diagnosis was directly attributed to Steve's work in the rescue and recovery efforts at the World Trade Center.
In the weeks to follow, Steve learned he had stage 4 lung cancer that had metastasized to the brain and liver. Steven's twin boys, were only 4 months old when he was diagnosed. Steve fought a good fight, explicitly saying "my boys are not growing up without a father".
Steve lost his battle to cancer on March 5, 2013 at the age of 40. His boys were 7 months old.
Steven's legacy lives on through his boys. They carry his smile, laugh, humor and genuine, good-natured heart. Steve leaves behind his mother Eileen, sister Angela, wife Luisa, sons Max & Owen and countless other family and friends.