Cannizzaro, Brian

Brian Cannizzaro, Lad. 101 By Simone Cannizzaro Brian’s father On September11th‚ Brian was 30 years old. He was working the day shift at Ladder 101 in the Red Hook section of Brooklyn‚ NY. Brian was married and the proud father of 8-month-old Christopher‚ who he actually delivered himself‚ under the watchful eye of the doctor in the delivery room‚ on national television. On that day when I awoke and put TV on‚ I saw the Trade Center on fire and smoke filling the sky over Manhattan. No one at that time really knew what was going on. Then I saw the second tower hit. I knew immediately this was no accident. Fear came over me‚ for I knew Brian would be there‚ and I was right of course. Not hearing any word from Brian for a long time‚ I feared the worst. Being a retired firefighter of 32 years myself‚ I got my gear that I had in the garage and set out for the Trade Center. Living on Staten Island‚ I was able to watch all this live. When I arrived at the SI ferry‚ I was told no one was being allowed to cross over to the site. I knew the chief in charge‚ and when I told him my son was there I was allowed to cross. When I arrived at the site‚ I could not believe my eyes. TV did not do justice to what I saw in person. After many long hours of searching and asking questions‚ I knew the answer to my questions all too well. Brian and his entire company were gone. Now I had to come home and break the news to his mom and his wife and his brothers. Not easy. The night before this nightmare‚ Brian and I were on the phone talking about all the work we were doing on his house to make necessary repairs that had to be done. The thing I remember most of our conversation is how we ended it. I said‚ I love you‚ BRIAN‚ and he said‚ I love you‚ POP‚ and that’s all I care to remember about that whole nightmarish day. The pain never goes away. Brian attended St. John’s where he was active in student government and served as president of his fraternity. After graduation‚ he worked at the Staten Island Advance and in the import/export business. In May 1999‚ he followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the New York City Fire Department. He requested an assignment to one of the busiest houses in New York-Ladder 101 in Red Hook‚ Brooklyn. In October 2000‚ he and his wife Jackie had a son Christopher. The birth was documented and featured on The Learning Channel. Brian Cannizzaro had the same badge number as his father Sam‚ a retired FDNY firefighter. Brian’s brother Craig‚ a probationary firefighter in the NY City Fire Academy‚ now has that badge number. Brian is survived by his wife Jacqueline‚ his son Christopher who was only a little over one at the time of his father’s death‚ his parents Sam and Carol‚ and two brothers-Craig and Charles.