ADAM MILLER
NY Post Online
December 12, 2001 -- Hundreds of family, friends and colleagues packed a Staten Island church yesterday to bid a somber farewell to Robert Lane, remembering the fallen firefighter as a "special angel" who had "a gift for making people smile and laugh."
Lane's mom, Janet, eulogized her 28-year-old son at a funeral Mass at Moravian Church in New Dorp.
"You were so full of life . . . and you had a magnetic smile," Janet said of her son, who was assigned to Engine Co. 55 in Manhattan's Little Italy.
"Our lives were better for having you in it."
The victim's grieving girlfriend, Christine Stefanski, said Lane, a Special Olympics volunteer and former college football standout, was the love of her life.
"I thank God every day for the time I had with Bobby," she said, choking back tears.
"He loved to make people happy without expecting anything in return. He had a gift for making people smile.
"He was the kindest, gentlest soul, no matter how big he appeared. He'll always be our special angel."
Lane's Engine Co. 55 colleague, Pete Metzger said Lane, a member of the Bravest's hockey and softball teams, "was like a brother to me.
"He was proud to be a fireman," said Metzger.
"He was always a pleasure to work with."
In a statement read by family friend Brian Kennedy, the victim's brother, Jason, said he "could never have asked for, wanted or had a better brother."
"I miss you and I love you," he said.
Lane's uncle, Jeff Luthman, said the firefighter, who died saving lives at the trade center, lived for his family and the Fire Department.
"When he was accepted into the FDNY, it was the happiest day in his life," said Luthman.
