Joseph Lovero

JOSEPH LOVERO, 60, of Jersey City, N.J., was chasing firetrucks before he could add. Growing up, he lived near a fire station that became his second home. When he was old enough, Lovero took the fire test, but was ineligible because of a heart condition. Instead of fighting fires, he helped out as a volunteer and later a fire dispatcher. On Sept. 11 Lovero completed his shift as a civilian fire dispatcher in Jersey City and rushed to the World Trade Center. His family and friends are not sure why Lovero went to the scene, but say that he may have been asked to set up a communication center. “If something was going on, he would always be there to help,” said his daughter Maxine McCormack.

Joe was assisting a FDNY Battalion Chief when the 2nd tower came down. They ran for cover, the Battalion Chief survived, Joe was seriously injured, and the Battalion Chief found him in the rubble when the smoke cleared and had him transported to St. Vincent's hospital where he died. His body lay in the morgue with Chief Ganci and Father Judge for several days.