Levittown, New York
On the Truck He Stood Tall
At the firehouse they called him Little Man," Robert Parro's brother John said. "Because he was kind of the smallest guy there, but when he got on the fire truck, they said he grew like six inches." He was born to be a firefighter, his mother, Virginia Parro, recalled. A firefighter, and a helper. On his days off, he worked as a handyman, and his friends and neighbors benefited from his expertise.
"He'd be the first person there to help you," said John Daly of Levittown, N.Y., who grew up there with Mr. Parro. "Anything to do in the house, sheetrocking a room, something with plumbing, all you had to do was call and he was there."
Mr. Parro, 35, and Mr. Daly were part of a group of about ten couples in Levittown who would travel together. It started with the guys camping or hunting together, then later everyone went to Acapulco or the Bahamas. The group even joined Mr. Daly on his honeymoon.
Once children arrived — Mr. Parro leaves a wife, Karen, and a son, John, 4 — the gang began going up to Lake George.
"It's going to be tough this year," Mr. Daly said. "We want to go. We want to still do that."
We grew up well, didn't we Robbie. Playing on Hyacinth Road, where the future didn't matter. A time of stingrays, acorns and frisbees. That's how I will always remember you.
Karen Talley
September 11, 2024
Remembered By
Judith Vagnuolo
December 27, 2018 | NJ
Sending our heartfelt sympathy to your family. May God continue to give the needed strength. Robert touched many others and will always be fondly remembered. May the time finally come when these acts of violence are ended and no longer break up families.
The Kindred Family
November 01, 2018
I remember your sacrifice every day as if the jihad happened yesterday. Your family is lifted in prayer daily.
Lucinda Sheth
September 17, 2018 | Kingston, TN
Robert you may be gone but you are never forgotten .
Carmela
September 16, 2018 | FL
Remembering. How old is your son now?
September 15, 2018
I never met you Robert, but from everything I have been told by Your Mom Virginia, and your brother Keith, I know we would have been Friends. I hurt for your Family, as do many others. I know you're watching over them, and they are safe. Everyone from that fateful day, who scarificed ALL, will live on in our hearts.
Charlie McCarthy
September 11, 2018 | Las Vegas, NV
Thank you for your sacrifice and service. Happy Veteran's Day up in heaven.
Caitlin Black
November 11, 2017 | Gillette, WY
I am not sure if we are related, but regardless we are brothers in the Fire Service. I am a Capt. I was on duty the day of 9/11. I had volunteered to be apart of one the USAR teams that went back from California to assist with the rescue/recovery operation. Today my youngest daughter is there at the memorial. It is an emotional time for her at 18 years old to see the memorial and to realize the vastness of how many were lost this day. It make me reflect that what we do and that there is no...
Carey Parro
July 08, 2017 | Running Springs, CA