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Joseph Maffeo Obituary
There was always a project under way when Joseph Maffeo, T.J. Beinert and Robert Melloy got together. Which was pretty much always.
As teenagers, the friends spent a summer cruising Staten Island in a Cadillac they made into a convertible by sawing off the roof.
Mr. Maffeo was the handyman. "He always had the right nut or the right bolt," Mr. Beinert said. As a firefighter, Mr. Maffeo, 30, was called Joey Pockets because he sewed so many onto his bunker gear to make room for gadgets.
He carried a black duffel bag with rope, gloves, water and a can of tuna. Just in case.
That is why his wife, Linda, kept hoping, even after many other missing firefighter's wives had given up on any hope that their husbands would survive.
"Joey's got his tuna and water," Mrs. Maffeo, 26, had said. "Joey's probably rationing it out," the wife of another firefighter at Ladder Co. 101 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, had added. The Maffeos, who have a 1-year- old son, Christopher Joseph, met while she was working as a bank teller. He asked her out. She agreed.
"I wouldn't usually do that," Mrs. Maffeo said. "You know when you can look at someone and tell they're a sweetheart?"
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 4, 2001.
MAFFEO-Joseph. FDNY. On September 11, 2001. Killed in the line of duty at the World Trade Center. Beloved husband of Linda (nee Dornes), loving father of Christopher, fond son of Louis and Jean, cherished brother of Donna Maffeo, Susan Drury, Linda Manfredi and Debra Morri. Also survived and loved by many nieces and nephews. Memorial service at 11:00 A.M., Monday, December 3, Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Staten Island, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Christopher Maffeo Fund would be appreciated. For further information, please contact Hanley Funeral Home, 718-351-1800.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
March 11, 2024
Thank you for the sacrifice that you and many others gave that horrible day. May God Bless you. Rest easy.
S J. Friscia III
June 11, 2014
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
Joseph Maffeo
April 16, 2012
To all of the men and women we lost on 9/11 we miss you. To all of the families we feel the pain. To all of of the fellow Firefighters and Police and EMS and those who just tried to help I applaud you. To my cosin who I never got the chance to meet you inspire me to do my best and give 150 percent every time I answer the bell. You are the inspiration, motivation, and energy that makes me want to be the best I can be. We will meet on the other side and answer the call together as firefighters and family. I know you have my back at every call.
September 12, 2011
In our hearts forever...
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Sean Douris
September 28, 2008
Our friendship is one of my fondest memories of college. I miss you brother and my heart goes out to your family.
Jody Agee
August 2, 2008
God Bless you and your family...I am also in Emergency Services I am a Medic in upstate NY. On 9/11 all our hearts were broken...we are a brotherhood/sisterhood....We will never forget
Hartmut Reinsch
September 11, 2007
In memory of Joseph Maffeo and all fallen FDNY Fire Fighters!
Sept. 11th 2001
~Always remembered and never forgotten!"~
Greetings from
Firefighter poet Hartmut Reinsch
Toronto / CANADA
PS.>
please visit my Firefighter guest book, with more than 4600 Firefighter entries!
http://tinyurl.com/6muan
Tribute to Firefighters of FDNY!
In the battle against the beastly fire...
They stay together, ready to fight!
To help all the victims of every accident,
committed to rescue, by day and by night.
These are the courageous Firefighters,
In their cities and towns of every land.
They stand together as really true friends,
Routinely they're all working hand in hand.
Everyone of them looks after the other,
Their brotherhood knows no borders...!
They are ready to help in their unselfish way,
Without fear, they follow their orders!
Many of them gave their lives in New York,
On September the eleventh, two thousand and one...!
Firefighters everywhere will remember that day,
And their feelings of loss will never be gone.
Written by Hartmut Reinsch
(FIRE Fighter Poet)
September 16, 2001 Toronto Canada
May we always remember their sacrifice,
in their quest to help and save the lives of innocent victims,
on that tragic day of Sept. 11. 2001 in New York City, USA.
A word after..., from "ground zero!"
What we are left with,
surrounded by death and fear,
is our sense of loyalty and of duty...
which calls upon us
to place a shining beacon of hope in this world,
and to entrust the universal darkness
to the light of God.
H. Reinsch. Toronto 2001
Tieg Britton
February 23, 2007
I also lost a loved one on September 11th and still think about that day a lot. My heart and prayers go out to the Maffeo family and friends.
P Tabbernor
December 17, 2006
In remembrance....
Kristine
November 14, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Angela DiMaria
October 2, 2003
I came home from delivering mail to find a piece of mail for me. It was a 9/11 bracelet. Before I looked at the name, I promised myself that I would honor this fireman for the rest of my life by wearing this bracelet. I looked up Joseph Maffeo and read his profile. This was my Fireman. I felt the instant grief, pain & anger that I felt in 2001 all over again. I've never been to NYC but Joseph will bring me there someday. Until then, I will pray for his family, and never forget my fireman.
September 12, 2003
REST IN PEACE JOEY.
Wayne Ovitt
July 1, 2003
Living in Las Vegas and watching the terrible events of September 11, 2001 unfold, I prayed for the victims, their families, and the country. I grew up in Mass. and attended SUNY Delhi in 1988/89 so I had many friends in New York. I spent the next couple of months watching for any names of victims I had known personally. I, in selfish way, was glad to know I had not heard that any of my friends had lost their life. On September 11, 2002 during a tribute show to the FDNY, I saw a picture of someone who looked like my room-mate at SUNY Delhi. I immedately ran to the computer and started researching 9/11. I could not believe there it was in black and white the name, Joseph Maffeo. I was crushed. I don't know why I had not seen it before. I want everyone to know, although I knew Joey for only one semester, Joey was more than a room-mate, he was a friend who made me laugh and we had some great times together. I felt guilty for some time because I had not kept in touch with Joey after I left Dehi. I know now from the biographies written about Joey that he was well loved and met the woman of his dreams and had a son. I do want to say if there was something good to come out of this tragedy for me. I have now re-connected with other classmates from Delhi. I want to tell Linda and Christopher this, I think about you very often and have adopted you both as my personal connection to Sept 11. Joey was a great man and I will cherish my time with him. God Bless and take care, Wayne
Robert Ashton
September 11, 2002
Joseph was a 1994 graduate of the University at Albany. Today, the first anniversary of his loss, his alma mater planted two trees in memory of him, the other seventeen alumni lost with him, and the thousands of other voices silenced so brutally and suddenly. We his family, and especially his wife and children, to know how proud his University is of Joseph. We share in the grief of so many families today, and we renew our commitment to the value of each human life.
Jennifer Christiansen
September 11, 2002
Dear Linda and Christopher:
I live far away from NYC, but last year I logged onto this memorial site because I felt I needed a connection to the terrible events.
After reading about Joey, I've not forgotten him. I hope you don't mind that I've sort of adopted your family as my connection to September 11. Something about the bio touched me and without evening knowing Joey, I know he was the greatest. And I know together you are the perfect family.
I wish I could have known Joey. But even though I didn't, I'll always remember him and your family as special people and my connection to September 11.
A year later--and always--I'll pray for you.
Bonita Hoffman
August 29, 2002
Dear Linda and Christopher,
Please accept my sincere sympathy in the loss of your husband and father. I received my 911 bracelet yesterday and I quickly searched the internet for information on Joseph Maffeo. I found this site and wanted to let you know I will wear my bracelet everyday to remember and honor a true hero. My thoughts and prayers are with you. We will never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for others.
Bonita Hoffman
West Berlin, New Jersey
Jack Matoske JR
May 10, 2002
I think and pray for you every night.I am proud to say you were
a cousin of mine.
Jim Johnson
May 9, 2002
Dear Linda and son,
Today I received my 9-11 bracelet not knowing what I could expect or feel upon receiving it. I can assure you that as I read the story of Joseph and his tribute I was moved to tears. I thank God that there was a Joseph Maffeo in this world. I will wear this bracelet with pride knowing that it represents a man and his family who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
God bless you.
Bro. Daniel Murray, O.F.M.
March 31, 2002
Dear Linda: Please accept my belated condolences at the death of your husband Joseph. You can be sure that he is in the presence of Jesus. Today is Easter Sunday when we celebrate Resurrection and new life. I'm sure it was a difficult day for you. However, Joe is now experiencing a new life in Christ. He lives in the presence of God and is still deeply in love with you and Christopher. Be assured of my prayers for Joe - who probably no longer needs them and for you and Christopher
Josephine Namio
March 25, 2002
My 9-11 remembrance bracelet came a few days ago, and it bears the name of Joseph Maffeo. I will wear it always. He is a special angel in heaven and I am proud to be one of the people who will remember him always.
February 27, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS HERO FIREMAN..JOSEPH MAFFEO AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND MANY FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..MAY JESUS AND ST.JOSEPH GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Ashley Donnell
February 15, 2002
My mom gave me the Mercy B.A.N.D. for Valentine's Day. I told my mom that I wanted a braclet from a firefighter because they risked their lives to save many others, and to me they are heroes.
Jennifer
January 18, 2002
I wish I could have known you. Maybe we'll meet on the other side someday.
Karen Noble
January 17, 2002
Dear Joseph and family,
My bracelet arrived yesterday....I will wear it daily as a reminder of the sacrifice Joseph and others like him made for all of us. September 11th changed my life forever - I can't even imagine what it has done to yours. You will all be in my prayers. God Bless.
Karen N. (NM)
January 17, 2002
Judy C
December 29, 2001
Dear Joseph and Loving Family,
My thoughts and prayers continue to be with you, your loved ones, and your fellow firefighters who perished and those who survived!
I have every confidence you now live with God, Joseph, and you and your fellow Angels will watch over your loved ones and those left behind who are struggling with their grief!
Rest In Peace!
Teresa Jahn
December 23, 2001
We thank Joseph for dedicating his life to help others as a firefighter. Such dedication comes with a brave, warm and caring heart full of love for his fellow man. We thank Joseph for sharing his heart. May his courage, warmth and love live on in all who love him and in those he has helped rescue and comfort over the years. May you always feel his love penetrate warmth deep into your hearts. We are deeply sorry for your loss of Joseph. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Angela Maffeo
December 20, 2001
I have been searching ever since September 11th to find just the right recipient for a small donation I intended to make for one of the families of a victim of the World Trade Center attack .
My last name is also “Maffeo” and when I came across the obituary of Joseph Maffeo (I had a brother named Joseph Maffeo who is also deceased) and the fund established for his son, I knew I had finally found my recipient.
I just would like to offer the following words, which I just read today to the family of Joseph Maffeo. They were very meaningful to me and I hope of some solace to them. They were written by Peter J. Gomes, the Minister at Memorial Church at Harvard University, for a sermon he gave soon after September 11th called Outer Turmoil, Inner Strengh. To the question: Where was God on September 11th, he said:
"I cannot imagine those heroic firefighters and policemen and workers and volunteers, amidst the rubble of Ground Zero in New York, indulging in the luxurious theological speculation about where God might or might not be. They know where God is: he is right there with them, enabling them, empowering them, strengthening them, even when hope itself has died. If you want to know where God is, do not ask the prosperous. Ask the suffering. Ask the sorrowing. Ask those who are acquainted with grief."
Peace be with you all.
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