UNBEARABLE LOSS: Firefighter James Pappageorge's mother, Olga, and sister, Helen, mourn the fallen hero in Queens yesterday. - B. Stelzer December 15, 2001 -- Just six weeks after he proudly reported to Manhattan's Engine Co. 23 for his first day as a full-fledged fireman, James Pappageorge died in the blazing wreckage of the World Trade Center. Yesterday, hundreds of mourners gathered at the Transfiguration of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Corona, Queens to remember the promising rookie's sacrifice and hail him as a loving father and a public servant obsessed with saving lives. "He will always be remembered as a hero - a great hero, because that's what firefighters are," said his sister, Helen Pappageorge, an NYPD narcotics detective. "It's ironic he died doing what he loved." Pappageorge, 29, who grew up on the streets of Corona, was remembered for his lifelong dedication to helping others. "One Valentine's Day, I got a book that had questions to ask each other," said Pappageorge's fiancée, Gina Pinos in her eulogy. "One question was: How would you like to die? "I said something lame - but he said that he would like to die doing something courageous. It was his way. After all, he had a sticker on his Mustang that said ‘No Fear.'" In 1995, Pappageorge became an emergency medical technician. He was so thrilled with his job that he outfitted his car with flashing lights and emergency equipment. "He was always reading books and articles [about first aid] and brushing up," said fellow fireman Edwin Garces. "His whole thing was to be ready, to be perfect." Sometimes called "Fabio" for his muscular, gym-honed physique and the long flowing hair he once wore, Pappageorge trained for the FDNY, and joined Engine 23 July 23. He soon distinguished himself by using his medical training to save an infant undergoing cardiac arrest when his fire unit arrived on the scene before the regular EMTs could get there. "He was only 29 years old and he had already proved himself as a dedicated public servant and hero," said Mayor Giuliani. Pappageorge left behind his fiancée, their young son Justin, his mother, Olga, and sister Helen.

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