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Joseph Gullickson, who would have celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary on Sept. 28, 2110, was enamored of his young and growing family.
"We were a special couple and he absolutely adored his children," said his wife, the former Naoemi Perez. "Joe was a loving and protective family man. He was big in stature and spirit. He had a big laugh and a very gentle disposition." Mr. Gullickson loved taking his daughters -- Amanda, 3, and Isabel, 1 -- on outings to the Staten Island Zoo and Clove Lakes Park, and he was especially proud accompanying Amanda to preschool.
"He was very proud of his daughters, right from the start," his brother said. "He was excited about getting involved in their lives. Even after a long day at work, he would always find time to push Isabel down the street in her stroller while Amanda rode next to him on her scooter or bicycle."
Born in Westerleigh and brought to Todt Hill as a child, Mr. Gullickson settled in West Brighton in 1995.
"Joe was like sunshine on a cloudy day," said his mother, Patricia. "Most of all, I'll remember how he was always there with that radiant smile and great laugh. I'll miss him dearly."
Mr. Gullickson loved dogs, especially Lucy, his Rottweiler, who was bred from a dog owned by his father, Robert. He also was a big fan of the TV classic "The Honeymooners" and enjoyed listening to popular music. The Grateful Dead and Frank Sinatra were among his favorites.
"Joe had a great love of American popular standard music," said his longtime firefighter friend, Zeke Quin of West Brighton. "We would sit and listen to everything from Frank Sinatra to Merle Haggard, while trading one-liners from 'The Honeymooners.' I'll miss him."
A graduate of Moore Catholic High School, Mr. Gullickson was a patrolman with the city Police Department assigned to the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for three years before joining the Fire Department in 1988.
He began his firefighting career at Engine Co. 243 in Brooklyn. In 1995, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Ladder 101.
"Joe came to Engine 243 as a probationary firefighter who was eager to learn, respectful and polite," said Vincent Masucci, a retired lieutenant who knew Mr. Gullickson at the beginning of his career. "I took an immediate liking to him. He stood out and was a very likable guy."
New York Times Portraits of Grief
Some firefighters so crave the thrill of the job that they dread retirement. Lt. Joseph P. Gullickson was not among them.
He treasured the camaraderie at Ladder Company 101 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, and welcomed the challenges of the work, ascending to the rank of lieutenant at age 31 and, until Sept. 11, studying for the captain's test.
But Lieutenant Gullickson, 37, was concerned about his safety, particularly now that Amanda, almost 4, and Isabel, 20 months, were in the picture. Lately, he had been increasingly devoted to the lawn sprinkler company that he and his brother Ralph inherited from their father. When the company finished a major project at the American Museum of Natural History last year, Lieutenant Gullickson was elated.
At home in Staten Island, he would nestle into the blue satin Daddy Chair with the gold polka dots, cuddling with the girls and devouring American history books.
After dinner, the lieutenant and his wife, Naoemi, who shared his love of "The Honeymooners" and Barry White and had caught his fever for Frank Sinatra, would seat the girls in strollers and amble through the neighborhood.
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