Firefighter Lawrence Virgilio
Squad 18

Laid to Rest
on September 20, 2001

Larry Virgilio died on the morning of 9/11 when the Twin Towers collapsed. He was a rescue firefighter who was killed in the line of duty. He died doing what he loved… helping people in trouble. When his body was finally found four days later, the hordes of people who loved him cried and held each other up and said through their tears that he died a hero. It’s important to remember that he LIVED a hero. Larry was a great and selfless man. From an early age, he had a genuine and constant desire to help people in need. These qualities moved him to become a FDNY firefighter back in ’89 and a licensed physical therapist in the early ‘90’s. He excelled in both professions because the challenges they provided appealed to him… to help people in difficult situations and get them back on their feet. Larry was successful in his work, but that was just a side-benefit of having two jobs that he loved. More than anything, he cherished his family, his girlfriend, his dog and his many friends & acquaintances. When any of them needed his help, it didn’t matter to Larry how demanding the situation was… he was always there for them promptly and with a smile. He loved life and the outdoors. He was an accomplished athlete, gardener, winemaker, cook, rock climber, dancer and deep-sea diver. He ran twice in the annual NYC Marathon. He was great at all these things because they challenged him, provided him with invaluable life-experiences, and helped to maintain his physical and spiritual well-being. Even with his past-times he was selfless… he was always eager to have his friends and loved ones participate with him. There are many people who never would’ve known the exhilaration of swimming among coral reefs and exotic fish in Mexico, or the pleasure of a panoramic view of upstate New York from a high peak, or even an exquisite meal of homemade pizza with garden-fresh ingredients and a glass of homemade vino if Larry hadn’t invited them to share it all with him. If you knew Larry well, it’s a safe bet that you loved him. If you knew Larry casually, it’s certain that he made an unforgettable impression on you. If you never had the honor of knowing him at all during his short stay among the living, you missed out on something wonderful… but you can consider yourself fortunate in one sense… you don’t miss what you never had. The depth of Larry’s compassion and commitment to helping others made him a hero to his family and friends long before the September 11 tragedy made his heroism known to the world. (S Russo Tribute)

Lawrence Virgilio Fund
Queens Chronicle
Squad 18 Fund