9/11 Victims In Hunks Calendar

By ALICE McQUILLAN Daily News Police Bureau

Patricia Foley smiled as a group of firefighters shared funny stories about posing bare-chested for the FDNY's annual hunks calendar.

Then she offered a story of her own, fondly recalling how her son Tom stuck to a strict regimen to make the cut.

"He was very excited about the calendar coming out," she said. "He worked very hard for three months eating chicken and rice to get himself ready and build that body."

Tom Foley, 32, was among three of New York's Bravest who posed for the calendar just weeks before perishing Sept. 11.

The 2003 edition — renamed the "Calendar of Heroes" and released yesterday — features Foley, as well as Firefighters Robert Cordice, 28, and Angel Juarbe, 35, who also were killed in the World Trade Center attacks.

While past calendars have sold about 10,000, there are hopes the latest edition will sell 500,000.

Part of the proceeds from the $14.99 calendar — available at www.fdnyfirezone.org and stores — will benefit the fire safety and education fund.

Liz Lacy, 46, a tourist from Michigan, waited two hours yesterday to get her three calendars autographed.

"They're buff, they're awesome," she said of the hunks.

Lacy hugged four firefighters, including gray-haired FDNY Capt. Frank Ciociola, who finds himself a sex symbol at 55.

Like the other firefighters featured in the calendar, Ciociola auditioned by dancing bare-chested in front of 200 screaming women.

"That was totally embarrassing and frightening," he said.

While Ciociola was ribbed about his age, 5-foot-7 Firefighter Rob Pavis had to withstand cracks about his height.

"Guys in the firehouse, they teased me, 'You should have February, it's the shortest month,'" said Pavis, 28, who represents June.

Original Publication Date: 7/2/02

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