West Hempstead, New York
Friends Around the World
Robert Linnane was a horrible dresser. With the ridiculous bright red shorts that he jogged in while training to join the Fire Department and the mismatched get-ups that he called evening wear, he was a walking affront to the eyes.
"We would have to make him go inside and change," said Al Belfiore, a friend.
This shortcoming was tolerated by Firefighter Linnane's friends all over the world because of his cheerful, easygoing and tolerant personality.
An enthusiastic traveler, he had worked for Delta Air Lines for nearly a decade before becoming a firefighter. He took every opportunity to fly off and meet new people, and he often had a pass to bring one of his New York friends along.
"It was a life that people liked hearing stories about," said his brother Vincent.
It was a life that ended at 33 as a New York firefighter — he had passed the daunting physical tests and joined the department after his 30th birthday.
His body was identified by the Grateful Dead tattoo on his ankle. His favorite song, a Dead standard titled "Sugaree," says:
I'll meet you at the Jubilee
If that Jubilee don't come
Maybe I'll meet you on the run.
Here we are 20 years later, and I’m still wearing your “Mercy Band” bracelet every day, next to my Grateful Dead bracelets. I thought of you today while listening to them, and thinking of the sacrifice you made, you are not forgotten.
Sugaree to you.
Nina Portwood Shields
September 12, 2021 | Portland, OR
Erik DeLapp
April 21, 2019 | Conshohocken, PA | Friend
I am a volunteer firefighter in Plymouth Meeting Pa. I had the opportunity to attend FDIC for the first time this year. My gracious fiends and family donated over $800 for the NFFF stairclimb. I had the honor of getting his name tag. I can't express my gratitude for the sacrifice he and the others made. We still have your six and will never be forgotten.
Erik DeLapp
April 21, 2019 | Conshohocken, PA | Friend
In the town I live in Middle Tn there is a craze going around where people paint and hide ricks. A group of people painted a rock for each victim of the 9/11 and placed them at our 9/11 memorial and Firefighter's Memorial. The idea is that you pick a rock and learn about the name on it. That you say a prayer for their family and help keep their memory alive in a sea of names. I took my boys to the firefighter's memorial today to each pick a rock. As soon as I saw your name I was drawn to...
Melody Michel
September 12, 2017 | Murfreesboro, TN
Never met you but attended your funeral at St. Thomas 16 years ago. A grateful City and Nation salutes your heroism and that of your brother FDNY firefighters, police other First Responders and office worker heroes who also died that day. RIP
James Simms
September 11, 2017 | Tampa, FL
I was in Labasheeda , Ireland in September 2015 and was looking for information on my Gramdmother Delia Theresa Linnane. I met a man in Labasheeda who told me his wife had met a man from NY named Robert Thomas Linnane who was also looking for information on the Linnanes in Labasheeda. He was working for Delta Airlines at the time. The man let me know that his wife showed him an old homestead where the Linnanes worked the land and lived. I also saw it. And a graveyard where Linnanes were...
September 09, 2016
I post every year on Sept. 11 but this year I couldn't. You know why. Along with my Grandmother you were in my thoughts and prayers and of course, you are always in my heart. I still think of you and all the times we spent together. You are special to me. I continue to love you with all my heart.
Nicole DiBona
September 21, 2015
To Robert, like all other Americans, I owe a great debt. For the highest form of heroism for his nation and its people. I never met him but learned of his heroism today from his loving Delta co-worker, Patria Baradi Pacis. Your loss I will remember with extreme gratitude as long as I live. I will henceforth fight on to prevent hate, conflict, war, nuclear weapons, gun violence even stronger now in your honor. Let us all make better use of good means we have to make this a better world,...
Martha Harrell
September 20, 2015 | Williamsburg, VA
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J. Friscia III
May 14, 2014 | Staten Island, NY
