LAWRENCE JOSEPH VIRGILIO, known to his friends and family as "Larry", was an exceptional person and a selfless hero. He was born on December 31, 1962 into a hardworking middle class Italian-American family in the tight-knit New York City community known as Woodside. Larry was an outstanding athlete. He played organized football with the Woodside Midget Football Association, the Woodside/Sunnyside Warriors and the I. C.Y.P. Football Program. As an adult, he ran the New York City Marathon on two occasions and competed in many triathlon and biathlon events. Over the years, Larry competed in many local and national fire department obstacle course challenge competitions. More than an athlete, Larry was a well-rounded person. After graduating from St. Sebastian's School in 1976 and Power Memorial Academy in 1980, Larry went on to obtain two bachelor's degrees, a degree in American Studies from Queens College and a degree in physical therapy from New York University. In the fall of 1989, Larry followed his real calling. He became a firefighter with the New York City Fire Department. After graduating from the New York City Fire Department Academy, Larry was assigned to Ladder Company 35 in Manhattan. Following ten years of dedicated service to Ladder Company 35, Larry became a member of the elite rescue Squad 18 in Manhattan. As a member of Squad 18, Larry demonstrated his selfless commitment to helping people. He made the ultimate sacrifice. He gave his life for his Country, his City and his Community. Larry was a firefighter who died in the World Trade Center tragedy on September 11, 2001. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Larry awoke very early to vote in the New York City Primary Elections. He was always very civic minded and cared deeply for New York City and his Country. After voting, he rode his bicycle from his Queens home to his firehouse located in lower Manhattan at Lafayette and Prince Streets. Little did he know, in less than one hour, he would be involved in one of the worst tragedies in the history of this Country. Larry's Squad was one of the first to respond to the World Trade Center tragedy. They were charged with the duty to rescue people from the North Tower of the World Trade Center. Larry was running up the stairs of the North Tower while people were running down. Larry realized the danger that he was facing. As one of his last acts, at approximately 9:50 a.m., Larry made a cellular phone call to his beloved Abigail. He left a message on her voice mail warning her of the danger, telling her to get out of Manhattan and that he loved her. Larry died when the North Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed. On Saturday, September 15, 2001, Larry's body was found. He was laid to rest on September 20, 2001. Larry's lifelong friends have created the Firefighter Lawrence J. Virgilio Fund to ensure that his memory will always live on. One Hundred Per Cent (100%) of the monies raised will be used for charitable purposes. A portion of the monies will be donated to the Squad 18 Family Fund for the benefit of all of the families of the Squad 18 firefighters who died in the World Trade Center tragedy. The remaining monies will be used to erect a monument in a local park in Larry's honor and to create the Lawrence J. Virgilio Memorial Scholarship to be awarded annually to a graduate of St. Sebastian's School. God bless Larry and God bless America.

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