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Anonymous (not verified)

February 21, 2020

I am running my first ever 5K tomorrow morning... the Fireman 5K in Sweetwater, TN. We are all running in memory of a Fireman who died on 9/11. I just wanted to let the Gary family know that I will be running in memory of Bruce Gary. He is not forgotten!

Posted by April Brooks

Anonymous (not verified)

September 10, 2022

Our community has an annual stair climb and I will be climbing in memory of Bruce Gary

Posted by Anonymous

Gia (not verified)

September 13, 2022

It doesn't matter how much time passes, it still feels like yesterday. Never forgotten, always missed.

Posted by Gia

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Age:
51
Place of Residence:
Bellmore, NY
Location on 9/11:
WTC
Occupation:
Fire Department of New York | Firefighter, Engine 40
Biography:

Bruce Gary, 51, of Bellmore was a New York City firefighter with Engine 40 on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. He was found with his medical bag outside of the south tower.

Gary was a dedicated firefighter who raised his three children alone.

"He never slept. He was always going," said his daughter Jessica Kostaris of Massapequa, who was 24 when her father was killed. Despite his busy schedule, "he was still able to be a huge part of our lives."

He even managed to be vice president of the Bellmore Little League. "He coached; he was there for whatever we needed him for," she said.

His sister Donna Struzzieri of Wantagh said he also filled a fatherly role for the rest of the family.

"I think of him as someone very strong physically and strong mentally, someone that always made me feel safe. I believe the whole family felt safe. That was his role," she said.

When he died, people she had never met told her about all of his kindnesses - such as doing plumbing work in which he was so skilled, and then not accepting payment.

"He was generous with his time and talents and never asked for anything," she said. "He was exhausted, he was tired but he would help me all the time."

When the events of Sept. 11 began to unfold she said her first thought was: "I have to call Bruce. He would be the first person I would always go to. The children lost their father but we also lost the protector for the entire family." - Ridgely Ochs