Calling him a hero firefighter who is now “an angel in heaven,” thousands gathered yesterday to remember Lt. Christopher Sullivan, a decorated 15-year FDNY veteran who died in the World Trade Center attacks.
The tearful memorial Mass at St. Kilian’s Roman Catholic Church in Farmingdale, L.I., drew firefighters from Ladder Co. 111 and across Long Island, as well as hordes of relatives and friends, including Sullivan’s widow, Dolores, and their two sons, Sean, 6, and Brian, 4.
“He fought a good fight,” the Rev. Augustine Fernando told mourners. “A fight to save others, and in that fight, he gave his life.”
In an emotional speech that moved many to tears, Fernando said, “When we lose a loved one, we gain an angel in heaven.”
He then paused, looked at Sullivan’s children, who were quietly sitting in the front row, and said, “Sean, Brian – I want to tell you that your daddy will be an angel to watch over you from heaven.”
The memorial service for Sullivan – a one-time cop and correction officer – was one of nine yesterday for fallen heroes of the terror attacks.
At Our Lady of Lourdes Roman Catholic Church in West Islip, L.I., more than 1,000 teary-eyed mourners streamed into the church to pay tribute to firefighter Matthew Rogan, 37, a six-year veteran of the department. Dozens of firefighters and hundreds of neighbors attended the service, including Rogan’s widow, Melissa, his 13-year-old daughter, Sarah, and 10-year-old twins, Matthew and Monica.
“He was a magnificent person with such a beautiful family. Everyone in the community will miss him very much,” said Mary Anne Lettieri, a neighbor.
Meanwhile, bagpipes wailed outside Our Lady Star of the Sea Church in Great Kills, S.I., where more than 800 police officers from New York and New Jersey, as well as family members and friends, remembered Port Authority Police Officer Christopher Amoroso. Another thousand people stood outside on the street listening to the Mass on loudspeakers.
Amoroso ushered dozens of frantic office workers to safety minutes before the north tower collapsed.
“He did exactly what Jesus did – he gave up his life to save others,” the Rev. Jeff Conway said.
Also remembered yesterday were firefighters John Giordano of Hazmat Co. 1, John Napolitano of Rescue Co. 2, Frank Bonomo of Engine Co. 230, Paul Ruback of Ladder Co. 25, Thomas Sabella of Ladder Co. 13 and Thomas Kelly of Ladder Co. 15.
IN MEMORIAM
Firefighter Frank Bonomo
Engine 230
Survived by wife Margarite, son Joseph and daughter Julianna
Firefighter Matthew Rogan
Ladder 11
Survived by wife Melissa, daughters Sarah and Monica and son Matthew
Firefighter John Napolitano
Rescue 2
Survived by wife Anne and daughters Elizabeth and Emma Rose
Firefighter Thomas Sabella
Ladder 13
Survived by wife Diana, daughter Nicole and son James
Firefighter Christopher Sullivan
Ladder 111
Survived by wife Dolores, sons Sean and Brian, parents James and Joan, brothers Kevin, Matthew, Robert and Peter, and sister Joan
Firefighter John Giordano
Hazmat 1
Survived by wife Roxann, sons Jonathan and Jordan, daughter Jessica, mother Katherine and brother Nicholas
Firefighter Thomas Kelly
Ladder 15
Survived by sons Thomas and Francis
Firefighter Paul Ruback
Ladder 25
Survived by wife Ann and daughters Elizabeth and Emily
PA Police Officer Christopher Amoroso
Survived by wife Jamie and daughter Sophia