Merrick, New York
Loved Giving, Not Receiving
One of the most difficult times in Ronnie E. Gies's life came two years ago, when his family's home in Merrick, on Long Island, burned down.
It was not so much the destruction that upset Firefighter Gies, 43, of Squad 288 in Maspeth, Queens, but the fact that he was suddenly the recipient of favors and good will from neighbors, instead of being the benefactor. "It was very difficult for him to be receiving and not giving," said his wife, Carol. "Someone would call at 3 in the morning because their toilet was clogged, and Ronnie was there."
Luckily, Firefighter Gies was also a carpenter. With a little help, in six months he built the family a new home, with a basement big enough to serve as hang-out headquarters for his sons, Thomas, 18; Ronnie, 16; and Robert, 14; and their friends.
A couple of years ago, Firefighter Gies took the lieutenant's test, after studying for hours at the dining room table. Recently, Mrs. Gies was told her husband had been pegged for a promotion on Sept. 10. "It meant a lot to him to be promoted," Mrs. Gies said. "He never knew."
I will always love and miss my uncle Ronnie I know he in heaven looking down on his family and we know he passed away doing what he loved fighting fires and saving lives knowing he always put his life on the line miss you and love you corey hopkins
Corey hopkins
September 10, 2023 | Family
Twenty years now. Your sacrifice will not be forgotten. Rest Easy Brother,
Rich Conti
September 06, 2021 | LINDENHURST, NY
16 years. Never to be forgotten.
Rich Conti
September 11, 2017 | Lindenhurst, NY
Miss ya Ronnie. One of the best human beings you could ever meet. The greatest model of a husband, father, and friend.
Greg F
September 09, 2016 | Merrick, NY
15 years. So long ago, yet yesterday. I have no words this year. May God Bless and Protect your family.
Rich Conti
September 08, 2016 | Lindenhurst, NY
Thinking of your family. Your boys left a lasting impression on the Calhoun Colt family. They continue to make you and all of us proud..
September 07, 2016
A friend of mine just text me that she met one of you below that wrote on Ronnie's page but wished to remain unnamed. With respect, I wish I knew you name to personally thank you for participating, all of you, in events honoring Ronnie.
I live next door to Carol, Ronnie & the boys. Ronnie was such an unselfish, generous man that I'm sure all those FDNY men lost that day were... It was in there "being" to help others... And that's what they did that dreadful day.
But those...
November 28, 2015
I carried Ronnie with me on my 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison CO. It was an honor!
Deb Lay
October 01, 2015 | Littleton, CO
Today I participated in the Sept 11 Memorial stair climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. I was given Ronnie's name to carry with me as I walked the stairs. I prayed for his wife Carol and his boys and thanked every firefighter I saw participating in the stair climb for the courage they display each day at work to protect others. Well done, Ronnie. Well done. And a heartfelt "thank you" to firefighters everywhere.
Carol
September 12, 2015 | WI
