WILLIAM J. GORTA
NY Post Online
October 30, 2001 -- FDNY Capt. Louis Modafferi, missing since the Twin Towers collapsed, was promoted to battalion chief yesterday at his memorial service.
The congregation at St. Clare's Church in Great Kills in Staten Island leaped to its feet to applaud as Fire Commissioner Thomas Von Essen announced the promotion during his eulogy for the 19-year fire veteran.
"We could really use his advice and counsel right now as we rebuild," Von Essen said of Modafferi, who had a distinguished record as a firefighter, a fire officer and a trainer.
His promotion - he passed the test before Sept. 11 - will mean increased benefits for wife Joanne and their three children, Christine, 18, Michael, 16, and Joseph 12.
Modafferi rose steadily through the ranks and participated in many rescues, including the 1992 crash of USAir Flight 405 at La Guardia, the 1993 World Trade Center bombing and hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic.
Von Essen said Modafferi's name would be inscribed on the pilings for a new building at the Fire Academy.
"Your dad was so much a part of the academy, I think he'd be proud to be part of the new building," Von Essen told the Modafferi children. "All these memories will be the stuff of legend and lore for years to come."
One of the stories was told by Lt. Rob DiImperio, a colleague of Modaferri's from Rescue 5.
He said Modafferi was headed toward the Verrazano Bridge en route to a second job on the morning of Sept. 11, but instead turned around and reported to his company for duty.
Mayor Giuliani and Gov. Pataki both addressed the packed church, as did Rep. Vito Fossella (R-S.I.), who read a letter of condolence from President Bush.
Another story of heroic dedication emerged at a memorial service held in upstate Middletown, at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Mount Carmel for Lt. Gregg Atlas, who worked in Engine Co. 10 on Liberty Street, just south of the World Trade Center.
Atlas was remembered as a man with a tremendous sense of humor, with immense love for his family and his friends.
Survived by his wife JoAnn and his children Gregg and Sarah, Atlas had great enthusiasm for the profession he shared with his three brothers, Don, Keith and Scott.
He once told his son, "Find a job that you love and you will never work a day in your life."
But his devotion was never more evident than during the rescue effort at the Twin Towers.
In his eulogy, the Rev. Gus Graap said Atlas ran into a friend on the 40th floor of one of the doomed skyscrapers.
Atlas' pal told him to hurry up and get out, Graap said.
But, the priest said, Atlas refused, telling his friend, "I've got a fire to fight."
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