Bedigian, Carl

Carl Bedigian, Eng. Carl John Bedigian was a treasured husband‚ a loving son‚ and a dear brother‚ adored by his family and friends. He was also a proud New York City Firefighter‚ one of the bravest chosen on September 11‚ 2001‚ first to answer the call at the World Trade Center. His fortitude and commitment to the service of others was so simply illustrated in the way he unquestionably responded to any cry for help. Born of Italian-Armenian descent in Greenpoint‚ Brooklyn‚ Carl was special. Always ambitious‚ adventuresome‚ and reaching for more‚ never seen without a smile. Carl’s delightful appetite for travel took him to many parts of the world. A fraction of those journeys were collecting recipes for another enthusiastic hobby he loved‚ cooking. Like many a fireman knows‚ the knowledge of the culinary arts can be an invaluable tool in the firehouse‚ and Carl thrived on the challenge. He was a man who loved to work with his hands‚ whether it be in building a house‚ or designing a circuit board. His education provided him with the ability to see the potential in any project he tackled from start to finish. Carl graduated from the Thomas Edison Vocational High School in the late 1980’s where he then ventured on with the New York City Transit Authority for several years as an elevator‚ escalator engineer. It was in 1993 when he decided to leave his position as foreman for the NYTA and join the fire department. He began his career as a fireman in Engine 228‚ in Sunset Park‚ Brooklyn and transferred to the infamous ‘Nuthouse‚’ Engine 214‚ in Bedford-Stuyvesant‚ Brooklyn two years later. On that tragic day‚ the ‘Nuthouse’ lost four members from Engine 214‚ and one officer from Ladder 111. Carl took pride in being part of such an invaluable communal service‚ yet there were special issues he held close to his heart. Affected and graciously healed from a rare hemorrhage on his spinal cord in 1998‚ until his untimely death Carl’s interest in cures for spinal cord and nervous disorders was genuine. Another issue that was distressing to him was childhood leukemia. In 1995‚ Carl found an opportunity to donate bone marrow through the NY Blood Center to a 4-year-old boy living abroad. That child is now 10‚ and living strong with many birthdays to come. Although we have lost a treasure‚ it is heartwarming to know that when the child smiles‚ Carl is still here‚ smiling through him.