Thomas P. Holohan Jr.

Dream Job, Dream House
Colleen Fitzpatrick was introduced to Tom P. Holohan 12 years ago through a mutual friend at a bar. "A big blond guy named Eric came to greet me as I walked in the door," she said, "but I wanted Tom" — he was the guy leaning back in a seat, quiet and smiling.

When they were newlyweds, Mr. Holohan, an auditor at Manhattan Trust, became eligible for a firefighter's spot. "I didn't want him to go," said his wife, now Colleen Holohan. "But he was so happy. Being a firefighter was his boyhood dream."

When Mrs. Holohan was pregnant with their third child, Liam, the young couple bought a piece of land in Chester, N.Y., and started building their dream house. It was a two-story colonial with four bedrooms. "In June 2000, we moved into a new house with a new baby."

He was the soccer dad who helped coach the football team of Thomas, 7, and brought Caitlyn, 5, to the soccer fields. He took them to see "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," the "Pokémon" movies and "Shrek" as soon as they were released, and read them bedtime stories, tucked them in and kissed them goodnight every night he was home.

"He enjoyed every minute of being with us," said Mrs. Holohan. "I just wish it were longer." Mr. Holohan, 36, was a member of Engine Company 6 in Manhattan.