Keith Alexander Glascoe

Big Man, Big Heart
Keith Glascoe was a big man — roughly 6-foot-4, 270 pounds — but maybe the biggest thing about him was his heart. "He was the sort who would stop and pick up a hurt animal in the street, take it to a doctor and pay for it," said his father, Benjamin Glascoe.

Given his size, football was inevitable. He started playing organized ball when he was 8 and twice made it to the New York Jets training camp. The second time, he was injured, but he played for a year in Italy, and learned to speak excellent Italian.

Back in New York, he caught the acting bug. Soon, there he was doing commercials and appearing on "One Life to Live," "Law and Order" and "100 Centre Street." He also had a part in the TV movie "Assault on Devil's Island," but the best of all was playing Benny in the movie "The Professional."

He married Veronica Squef, and he yearned for a more regular job. His kindly nature meshed perfectly with the Fire Department, and he joined Ladder Company 21. Naturally, he played on the department's football team.

Firefighter Glascoe, 38, lived in Brooklyn with his wife and their two children, Nolan, 3, and Owen, 15 months. Ms. Squef is expecting a third child in April.

Off duty, he continued to go to casting calls. But his sons had discovered modeling, and so Firefighter Glascoe had a new role escorting them to their own auditions.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 8, 2001.


GLASCOE-Keith Alexander. A firefighter for three and-a-half years with the Fire Department of New York Ladder Company 21, was tragically lost with that Company's entire squad in the horrific collapse of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. He was 38. Born in San Francisco, CA, Mr. Glascoe was known for his 30-year football career beginning as an eight year old child. At Midwood High School in Brooklyn, NY he played offensive tackle, defensive end and kicker. He played football at Springfield College in Springfield, MA for two years, then transferred to Delaware State College in Dover, DE. Mr. Glascoe helped win several championships at Midwood and Delaware State. He graduated from Delaware State with a Bachelor in Business Administration. Following graduation, he participated in the New York Jets football training camp, but was released when he sustained serious shoulder and neck injuries. He then played American football in Northern Italy. Returning from Italy, he worked at the New York City Children's Welfare Agency (CWA) to help improve the plight of inner-city children. Mr. Glascoe also pursued an acting career, appearing in television commercials, print advertisements, television programs ("America's Most Wanted", "One Life to Live", "100 Centre Street"), and the made-for-TV movie, "Assault on Devil's Island". The highlight of his acting career was his role as "Benny" in the Luc Bessondirected film, "The Professional", which also starred Gary Oldman. Mr. Glascoe was married in 1996 to Veronica Squef and moved briefly to live in South Beach, FL. Mr. Glascoe is survived by his wife Veronica who is expecting their third child in April 2002; two young sons, Nolan Sebastian and Owen Alexander; his parents Benjamin Alexander and Gloria Glascoe; sister and brother-in-law Lee and Calvert Wright; grandmother Addie Oliver; uncles Victor M. Oliver and Sinclair Acey; great uncles Stanford Lawson, Woodrow Guill and great-aunt Jerusha Bennet; a nephew, four nieces and a host of cousins & other relatives. Mother & father-in-law Regina & Jacinto Squef; brother-in-law Gustavo Adrian Squef; sisters-in-law Kristen and Marcela, and a large circle of friends including Pedro Barry, Patrick Fahey, Chris Jones and his FDNY colleagues also survive him. Memorial Mass Saturday, 12 Noon on November 17, 2001 at Transfiguration Roman Catholic Church, 29 Mott Street, New York, New York 10013.