Street renamings honor western Queens Bravest

[SeaBreeze]

Street renamings honor western Queens Bravest

By Dustin Brown 11/28/2002

Firefighter Vincent Morello was the kind of guy who enjoyed simple pleasures like gorgeous golf weather or friendly get-togethers down at Durow’s restaurant on Myrtle Avenue.

So it was fitting last Thursday that the ceremony renaming a block of 81st Street in memory of the Sept. 11 rescuer contained little pomp and circumstance and lasted only a few minutes.

The sign spoke for itself.

“It’s going to remind people 50 years from now, 100 years from now, 150 years from now of the heroic deeds Vincent performed at the World Trade Center,” said City Councilman Dennis Gallagher (R-Middle Village), who sponsored legislation renaming numerous streets in the community after rescuers who perished Sept. 11.

Morello, 34, had already finished his nighttime tour with Manhattan’s Engine Co. 283 when he hopped on a rig responding to the World Trade Center attack Sept. 11, 2001.

His was among the 343 firefighters who did not return.

“To do the street naming in a neighborhood that lost so many is indeed very fitting,” said state Sen. Serphin Maltese (R-Glendale). “This is an inspiration for us all, and hopefully it will last forever.”

The sign, which reads “Firefighter Vincent S. Morello Street,” was mounted directly beneath the sign for 81st Street at the intersection with 62nd Avenue, down the street from the house where Morello lived for the past decade with his wife Debi and their two children, Justin and Paige.

Debi Morello pulled the string to slide off the paper wrapped around the sign, officially unveiling it before the crowd of more than 100 neighbors and colleagues.

“It’s a great honor. We’ve lived on this block for 10 years,” Debi Morello said. “He’s a big part of this neighborhood. I like that he’ll always be part of it now.”

Still, the pain of losing a loved one has barely ebbed more than a year after his death.

“Personally it seems unreal. I’d love to have my son back,” said Patricia Morello, Vincent’s mother. “It’s a nice tribute, it’s a wonderful tribute. He’s really missed. He’s a fabulous guy.”

Morello had served as a firefighter since January 2000, joining a long line of family members who served in the Fire Department, including his father — a retired 34-year veteran — his brother Marc and his mother, a longtime civilian employee.

“This is a great honor for a guy who did a great service in the short time he served the city,” said Firefighter Mike O’Neill, Morello’s colleague in Engine Co. 283.

On Saturday, three other streets in the community were renamed to honor rescuers who died Sept. 11.

Lt. Steven Bates, an 18-year veteran of the Fire Department, was honored with a sign on 74th Street between 78th Avenue and Myrtle Avenue.

Lt. Kevin Pfeifer, a Middle Village native, was remembered with a sign renaming 79th Place between Furmanville Avenue and Juniper Valley Road in his memory.

David Marc Sullins, an emergency medical technician and father of two young boys, was celebrated with the dedication of 66th Place between Myrtle Avenue and Central Avenue in his honor.


http://www.timesledger.com/site/news...d=170338&rfi=8


A street in Middle Village is renamed for Firefighter Vincent Morello, who died Sept. 11. Pictured with a replica of the sign are (l. to r.) City Councilman Dennis Gallagher; Vincent’s brother Marc, his wife Debi, father John, mother Patricia