Haskell, Jr., Thomas

Capt. Thomas Haskell, Jr., Div.15 Tommy was born on March 12‚ 1964. He grew up in Seaford‚ Long Island. He graduated Seaford High School in 1982‚ where he participated in many extracurricular activities‚ most notably football. He was an exceptional student and athlete‚ earning all-league honors on the football team. Tommy attended Wagner College‚ then St. John’s University‚ playing on both schools’ football teams. Despite becoming a New York City fireman in fall of his senior year‚ Tommy continued to earn his degree in night school at St. John’s. Tommy was a devoted family man. He married his high school sweetheart‚ Barbara‚ and had three daughters‚ Meaghan‚ Erin‚ and Tara. Tommy spent much of his free time with his family‚ planning vacations‚ attending sporting and school events and throwing family get-togethers. One of Tommy’s favorite pastimes was building an elaborate Christmas village‚ complete with ceramic houses‚ hundreds of figurines and twinkling stars‚ with two trains running through it. The last piece added to the collection was a new football stadium. Tommy continued to feed his love for the game of football by playing‚ then coaching‚ on the Department’s ‘Bravest’ football team. Tommy excelled in the Fire Department‚ moving very quickly through the ranks to become a Battalion Chief at the age of 37. Tommy spent much of his career in some of the busiest houses in the city‚ ending at Ladder 132 in Brooklyn. On September 11‚ Tommy led his men into the South Tower of the World Trade Center and assisted in the evacuation of 25‚000 people. Despite unimaginable horror‚ Tommy diligently went about his job of saving as many lives as possible. Displaying bravery that inspired the nation‚ Tommy continued his mission until he was lost in the first collapse. Thirty minutes later‚ Tommy’s younger brother‚ firefighter Timothy Haskell was lost in the second collapse.