John
Gill, Father
Welcome
to this website honoring my only son,
Paul John Gill, one of the 343 firefighter heroes who gave his
life saving others on September 11, 2001.
Paul was only 34 years old
and the father of two young sons, Aaron & Joshua, when he
was taken from us.
We
have created this site to honor & remember my son and to celebrate
his life. America and the world came to know Paul as a hero --
one of the hundreds of brave and fearless firefighters who, on
the morning of September 11th, willing and unhesitatingly entered
the depths of Hell to save thousands of people, and who, soon
after, passed through
the Gates of Heaven.
But
Paul was so much more to so many other people
who love him and will miss him forever --
a father, son, brother, husband, stepson, grandson, nephew, cousin,
friend and firefighter brother to New York's Bravest.
Paul
was a very energetic and fun loving child who grew into a kind,
caring, brave young man with a sweet nature and a gentle soul.
It was these qualities, combined with fierce and unrelenting determination
and courage, that led my son to become a firefighter -- to serve
and protect -- to put the safety and well being of strangers before
his own.
From
early on, Paul loved sports of all kinds -- he was CoCaptain of
his wresting team at Martin Luther High School, where he won many
awards and was undefeated in his wrestling career. He loved music,
playing the guitar, basketball, roller blading, the beach, camping,
the outdoors. Paul was a fan of the New York Mets, Knicks, and
Giants.
Paul
was also extremely creative and skilled with his hands -- as a
carpenter, musician and artist. Although he had no formal training,
he was especially skilled at drawing (including tattoos) -- an
ability he inherited from my father. He was also a gifted and
prolific poet. Examples of his artwork and poetry are included
on this site.
This
website is graced with many beautiful photographs, artwork and
poems. I want to thank all the caring people who so generously
allowed us to use their talents to honor my son -- so many people
all over the country & the world have opened their hearts
to us.
I
particularly want to acknowledge my wife, Georgette, who was determined
to create this website and was lucky enough to find a caring,
kind and generous woman, who lives an ocean away and who gave
freely of her enormous talent and of her time to make this website
a reality. Georgette and Patricia worked tirelessly to create
this loving tribute to my son. Thank you, Patricia -- our kind
& loving Angel in Holland! And thank you, my dear wife, who
although was stepmother to my son, loved him with a mother's heart.
And thanks also to my brother Steve, for his expertise with the
audio files.
In
visiting this wonderful memorial website, I hope you come to know
my son, not just as a firefighter hero, but to know Paul as his
family and friends did. This site is meant to be a place where
his family and friends can visit to remember Paul, and where his
future grandchildren will get to know him. Various pages on the
site showcase Paul's talent as an artist and poet; display various
awards, tributes and messages. The many photos tell the story
of Paul's life. There is a special page relating recollections
& memories of Paul by his family, friends and brother firefighters.
I
hope you enjoy your journey into my son's much too brief life.
My hope is that you never forget that each person who lost their
life on September 11th was a cherished family member and valued
friend who was greatly loved and is greatly missed.
This
is for you, my son, till we are together again.
Love,
Dad
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to Paul's Home Page