STEFAN C. FRIEDMAN
Courtesy New York Post
June 1, 2002 -- Remembering him as a "superman," hundreds of family members, friends and New York's Bravest filled Our Lady Help of Christians Church on Staten Island yesterday to bid farewell to 9/11 hero Firefighter Paul Beyer.
Fighting back tears, Arlene Beyer eulogized her late husband, saying that he will "have my love for the rest of time."
The remains of the 37-year-old father of two, who was assigned to Engine 6 in Chinatown, were pulled from the wreckage of the north tower on April 9.
The Rev. Edmund Connors remembered the eight-year FDNY veteran as a "beautiful, wonderful, gentle man."
Alluding to the Gospel of John, Connors continued: "He laid down his life for his friends."
Beyer started working for the city as a machinist for the Parks Department in 1989 and moved to the FDNY in 1993.
Born and raised on Staten Island, Beyer spent his whole life in the Tottenville community and could often be found working with his hands when not on the job.
He had started building a new family home two months before he was killed.
After Sept. 11, Arlene was too distraught to continue the project without him. But she later reconsidered, and now the family's dream house is nearly finished, thanks to help from FDNY colleagues and neighbors.
Among those eulogizing Beyer were fellow members of Engine 6, childhood friends and an Eagle Scout from Troop 64, of which Beyer was an assistant Scout master.
President Bush and Rep. Vito Fossella (R-S.I.) sent letters of condolence, which were read by Connors.
