Brooklyn, New York
W.W.M.D. - What Would Mikey Do?
Michael Paul Ragusa was not a mountain climber, a sculptor, a scholar. He was not anything like that, his loved ones say. Being a fireman was enough for him. "He did things to make others happy," said his fiancée, Jennifer Trapani. "That's how he made himself happy."
Mike Ragusa, 29, joined the Fire Department nearly two years ago. He was assigned to Engine Company 250, but was working at Engine Company 279 on Sept. 11.
He was single-minded, said his sister, Christine Saladeen. "If we all lined up outside the World Trade Center and yelled, 'Mikey stop!,' he still would have ran in."
When word of Firefighter Ragusa's disappearance percolated through his neighborhood of Bergen Beach, Brooklyn, dozens of people camped out on his parents' lawn, on their patio furniture and on their living room floor. Strangers who did not know his name came by with fruit baskets to tell of how he helped fix their fences or change their tires.
He may not have been a sculptor, but he was a plumber, and if a friend's pipe burst at midnight, he was there. He may not have been a scholar, but he was a good man. His friends had a saying about him — W.W.M.D.: What Would Mikey Do?
To Vinny & Dee Ragusa. From Daphne Coleman, a co-worker of Vinny of the NYT. I always remember you at this time. Grief can be so hard, but our special memories and with the help of God can help us cope. Remembering you and your loved ones today and always. With love and prayers. Daphne
Daphne Coleman
September 11, 2025
Grief can be so hard, but our special memories help us cope. Remembering you and your loved one today and always.
Daphne Coleman
September 11, 2025 | Other
Christine, your brother Michael is NOT forgotten. The 19 from our Maspeth, Queens, firehouse are not forgotten, nor are our neighbors, or others, who worked at firehouses throughout the city, or ANY of the others we lost that day. As a part of Listening to the City online for 2 weeks in the summer of 2002, I read your posts, and saved the poem you wrote with love, in honor of your brother. You and your family are in my prayers. DID MY BROTHER SAVE YOU Dedicated to Firefighter Michael...
Jackie Cavalla
September 11, 2024 | Other
23 years later and the Legacy page is just a shadow of what it once was. I won't allow that to happen with your name and memory though, but really it's more that I can not allow you to be forgotten. You were my younger brother and a huge part of my life. As kids we used to fight a lot and needed to be separated. As we got older, we grew closer. Just as I knew you always had my back, you knew I would always have yours too and you could come to me for anything. When you were killed, you...
Mikey515 - Christine
September 10, 2024 | Family
I never met you but I went to school with your Nephew Michael who is named in your honor. He´s one of my best friends, he always talked so much about how amazing you were & I even know that your favorite Doritos flavor was the cool ranch blue ones. I may have never met you but I feel you in my heart & you´ll never be forgotten. You would be so incredibly proud of your nephew who is now on his way to becoming a firefighter just like you.
Friend of family
September 22, 2023 | Other
Michael you are never forgotten. We remember you and celebrate your life, courage, and service to others. May the Lord sustain your family and friends with joy from the memories of times shared. Rest in Peace
September 11, 2023 | FL
In memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J Friscia III
March 14, 2021 | Staten Island, NY
mike and I go back to the filter days in starrett city
Dominick Alcaide
September 14, 2020 | Manhattan | Friend
mike miss ya, Dominick from starrett
Dominick Alcaide
September 14, 2020 | Manhattan, NY | Friend
