Joseph Patrick Henry never played professional baseball, but there were plenty of people who thought he did. And some of them have his autograph.

By all accounts, Mr. Henry, a firefighter, who at 25, had worked only 11 months for the department, bore a striking resemblance to the pitcher David Cone. So much so that often people would whisper "Is that David Cone?" and ask for his autograph. A fervent baseball player and Yankee fan, Mr. Henry could not help but oblige a few of those requests, said his mother, Alice Henry.

When his mother was cooking dinner, Mr. Henry would go out onto the terrace and shout, "Mom's cooking my favorite stew!" so loudly that Mrs. Henry would jokingly threaten to call the police. (This continued even after he moved into his own apartment in the same building, in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, his mother said.)

One of six children in a family of many firefighters -- his grandfather, father, uncle and two brothers -- Mr. Henry could be the frivolous one. "He was usually the first to arrive at a party and the last one to leave," said his longtime girlfriend, Julia Corrales. "He always said, `We're young, we should enjoy these days.' "

   9/11: The Reckoning

Joseph Patrick Henry, 25, years old of Brooklyn, New York, a firefighter with ladder 21 in Manhattan. Joseph died a Hero in the line of duty at the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Loving son of Alice (nee Brady) and Battalion Commander, Edward Henry (40th Battalion FDNY).

Joseph is survived by his brothers, Edward (Ladder 166 FDNY), Michael (Engine 276 FDNY) and wife, Rebecca, Daniel (Port Authority Officer) and his sisters, Mary and Kathleen. He was the loving uncle of Michael Patrick and Sarah Grace Henry. Joseph is also survived by his loving girlfriend, Julia Corrales and by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends. Besides his immediate family, Joseph followed in the footsteps of his late grandfather, Edward Henry, Sr. (Battalion Commander 43rd Battalion FDNY) and his Uncle James Henry (Captain Ladder 149 FDNY). Joseph graduated Lafayette High School in 1994 where he played baseball. Joseph was also an EMT for the Fire Department for three years before joining the ranks as a Fireman. Joseph Patrick Henry died doing what he loved and he will forever be in our hearts. A memorial mass will be held on Friday, October 5, 2001 at 11:00 am at Most Precious Blood R.C. Church, Bay 46th Street between Bath Ave. and Harway Ave. in Brooklyn. In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent in Joseph's name to Most Precious Blood R.C. Church, 70 Bay 47th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11214. Published in the The Journal News on Oct. 4, 2001