John McAvoy, 47, loved being fireman, was legendary cook
Richmond resident could have retired 4 years ago, but loved his
job
Date of Death 9/11/2001
Advance staff writer
Thursday, 09/27/2001
When
the Bette Midler recording of "The Wind Beneath My Wings"
was released, Phyllis McAvoy gave a copy to her son, John. "He
was my hero long before this," said his mother. "Now
everyone knows he's a hero."
The
gift became even more poignant when Ms. Midler sang the song Sunday
at the memorial at Yankee Stadium for the victims of the World
Trade Center attack. Mr. McAvoy was a firefighter with Ladder
Co. 3 in Greenwich Village. According to his brother, Michael,
his unit last called in when they were on the 31st floor of Tower
1. He is among the thousands missing at the Trade Center site.
Mr. McAvoy's wife, the former Paula Romano, and his brother said
many people knew him as a hero, perhaps more than they could name.
They all commented on how every friend was a best friend.
Late
for dinner one Easter Sunday, Mr. McAvoy said he had stopped to
help someone fix a flat. A story later appeared in the Advance
reporting a mother and daughter who had been helped by a "guardian
angel" named John to fix a blown-out tire on the Staten Island
Expressway near Targee Street. Although they were waiting for
AAA, he quickly changed it so they would not be in danger. His
family knew the last name of that angel.
"Once
he got to know you, he found a way to help you." said his
brother. Strangers and family members were all touched by this
man's life. Arranging his schedule to include shopping, doctors'
appointments and fixing the house for his mother was routine.
His
wife said Mr. McAvoy was fully involved in raising their two children,
from the time they were infants, when John "never thought
twice about changing a diaper" to the busy schedules of the
two growing adolescents. When she recently completed her master's
degree in public health administration, he did everything he could
to help her through it, including editing her papers.
In
addition to that inexplicable larger-than-life quality he shared
with many firefighters, Mr. McAvoy's cooking was legendary.
At
home, relates Mrs. McAvoy, "It took a while before he learned
to make appropriate proportions. Early on he made enough for 20;
he'd make enough sauce to last forever." And, she admitted,
"The kids preferred his cooking to mine." Two days before
the attacks, the McAvoy house was filled with women who gathered
for a baby shower for his brother's baby, expected in three weeks.
"He helped me cook and serve all day," relates Mrs.
McAvoy.
On
Sunday, an annual family picnic was held in Holmdel, N.J. After
meeting for nearly 30 years, this year's was held with the theme
of "family unity and togetherness." The younger generation
had taken over from the older in carrying on the tradition with
the "Italian side of the family," related Michael. "And
John was always the cook."
Mr.
McAvoy, whose 48th birthday would have been Sept. 17, was described
as very funny and very tough.
He
began his 24-year service in the Fire Department in 1977 with
Engine Co. 26, Manhattan, where he stayed briefly until he went
to Engine Co. 5, also in Manhattan. His 13-year stay there was
followed by a stint with Squad 1 in Brooklyn before he joined
Ladder Co. 3 six years ago.
"He
loved being a fireman," said his mother. "They were
all like a family. They have been so kind to me. Two or three
were here today, asking if there is anything they can do."
His
wife agreed. "He loved his job more than anything,"
she said. "He listened to the scanner all day long so he
wouldn't miss anything. He loved the excitement of the job. He
could have retired four years ago, but he wanted to stay on."
Born
in Brooklyn, he was brought to Mariners Harbor in 1961, where
he attended St. Adalbert's School in Elm Park and graduated from
Port Richmond High School in 1971.
The
McAvoys moved to Port Richmond when they married, and settled
in Richmond 16 years ago. An avid Yankee fan, he had been a pitcher
for the West Shore Little League. He also played in league hockey
in his youth, and was able to continue his love of the game through
coaching and attending his son Kevin's games in the Staten Island
Ranger league. He was also a fan of the New York Rangers.
"All
of us have been in this limbo too long. It's the longest wake
I've been to. We all need the memorial to get on the other side
of this," said Mrs. McAvoy. "I know my children and
myself will come out of this stronger. All this pain and his life
are not for naught. I'm still trying to figure out how I can teach
my children that, and that you can go on with your life and make
a contribution to society."
In
addition to his wife, Paula, his mother, Phyllis, his brother,
Michael, and his son, Kevin James, surviving are his daughter,
Kate Marie, and his brother, George.
There
will be a memorial mass Saturday at 11 a.m. in St. Patrick's R.C.
Church, Richmond. In lieu of flowers donations are requested to
the Rusty Staub Police and Fire Widows and Children's Fund, PO
Box 3713, Grand Central Station 10163.
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