Firefighter
Kenneth Marino
Rescue 1
A
Memorial Service was held
on October 16, 2001.
A
Devout Baseball Fan Kenny Marino was a Mets fan and a Seattle
Mariners fan, but his all- time favorite ballplayer was Ken
Griffey Jr. So Katrina Marino, his wife, e-mailed the Cincinnati
Reds wondering if Griffey could hit a home run for her husband
because he would be "looking down with a big grin." On Sept.
25, Griffey, in his second at-bat against Philadelphia, obliged
Mrs. Marino. He said it would always stand out as one of the
most memorable he had hit. The bat was later given to Mrs. Marino
and her two children, Kristin, 3, and Tyler, 1. Firefighter
Marino, 40, was with Rescue 1 in Manhattan. His family happened
to visit him at the firehouse the morning of Sept. 11, shortly
before the summons to the trade center. Firefighter Marino whispered
into Kristin's ear, "If you are a good girl, when I get home
I will get you a prize ‹ a Wizard of Oz prize." A couple of
weeks ago, Mrs. Marino found the prizes, a Dorothy doll for
Kristin and a Scarecrow for Tyler. And there was a Fireman Santa
Claus ornament for Mrs. Marino. She mentioned those treasured
final prizes at the memorial service for him on Long Island.
As Rescue 1 led the mourners out, the organist played "Take
Me Out to the Ballgame." The members of Rescue 1 had to smile.
They knew that was so Kenny. Profile published in THE NEW YORK
TIMES on October 20, 2001.
Newsday
Article