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Martin Egan Obituary
If Martin Egan Jr. had a notion to do something, he went for it.
On a whim, the fire department captain tried bungee jumping. Then sky diving. He ran the New York City Marathon in 2000.
When he saw a near- century-old colonial-style house next to a pond in Great Kills, Staten Island, he decided he would buy it, completely gut it and put it back together again.
The only issue was that Captain Egan, 36, had no construction experience. Undeterred, he studied how-to books and magazines to learn to rebuild the structure's interior. "He wasn't afraid to try new things," said his wife, Diane. "He did a beautiful job, and I'll live here forever."
Captain Egan was also the first of his childhood friends from Midland Beach, Staten Island, to join the New York City Fire Department. His two younger brothers also became firefighters.
"He showed us the way," said John Mahon, a firefighter and longtime friend. "We saw how much he loved the job and what it did for him. The rest of us said we've got to get this job."
Martin Egan was promoted to captain in Division 15 not long before Sept. 11. On the 11th, he was on administrative duty when he decided to answer the call for help at the World Trade Center.
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September 11, 2023
Martin you are never forgotten. Today we remember your life and celebrate your courage, your service to others and the ultimate sacrifice you made answering the call for help. May the Lord pour out His peace and comfort to those you loved and may others be inspired by your example. Truly, great love hath no man, than one who lays down his life for another. Rest in peace
Cindy Roe
September 9, 2021
Remembering Martin on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
John Szczech
October 28, 2014
ALWAYS REMEMBER , NEVER FORGET
CRYSTAL COX
September 11, 2011
TODAY AS WE REMEMBER THE FALLING HEROS 10 YEARS LATER , I CAME A ACROSS A BRACLET THEY IMPRINTED NAMES ON BACK THEN IT WAS YOUR NAME THATIS ON IT MAY GOD BE WITH YOUR FAMILY TODAY, YOU WERE A HERO
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Deanna Woodward
October 12, 2010
i love you for what you have done for my family and i. You have never met any one of us. I appreciate that you helped save lives and were there to help. I pray for your family and you and may u rest in peace.
SARNE O'CONNOR
October 12, 2010
FROM ENGLAND AND IRELAND WE SEND LOVE AND PRAYERS.NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN AND TO BE TAUGHT THE WORD BRAVERY.WE WILL LOVE AND SUPPORT USA AND THE LAND OF THE LOST.THANK YOU SO MUCH IN ALLOWING US TO SHARE WITH YOU.GOD BLESS EVERY GOOD CITIZEN OF USA.XX
Marissa Smarelli
September 11, 2009
September 11, 2009
World Trade Center Ground Zero
Vesey-Liberty-Church-West Streets
New York, New York 10038
Dear Mr. Egan Jr,
A hero is someone who helps others in need, even at the cost of their own life. You were a hero on September 11, 2009. You put your life in danger to help others. I look up to you as a hero, and I want to do something amazing like you did. Thanks for saving others during the crash at the World Trade Center. You will always be a hero to me.
We are thankful for your sacrifice to save others. I am sure your wife Diane, and your brothers miss you very much. Your brothers look up to you, because they became firefighters, just like you. You weren’t afraid to try something new, which made you very brave. You served and protected our country, and we are all thankful.
We will all remember you, and the sacrifice you made. You were very brave, and you will always be in our memories. You were a great hero, and you will not be forgotten.
Thank-you for your service,
Sincerely,
Marissa Smarelli
Doug Abraham
July 4, 2009
Happy Independence Day!!!
Kristine
October 24, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
October 1, 2006
In memory....
Evelyn B
September 18, 2006
Thank you, Martin, for youe courage and bravery. You made the ultimate sacrifice so that others could live. To the surviving family and friends you all are always in my prayer. We will never forget. May God bless you all.
Joe Rotter
September 14, 2006
Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.
James Johnson
September 11, 2005
God Bless You...
Kristian Thomas
September 13, 2004
Dear Diane and Family,
Yesterday my 3 sons and I visited the Healing Field in our neighboring city. Among the over 3000 American flags on display in memory of all who were lost, my sons I chose and purchased the flag of your Captain Martin Egan. I cannot tell you the emotion that has stirred within us having purchased that flag. It is proudly waving in the center of our front lawn. I would love to have contact with any of his family members so that I can send you a photo of the flag for you, and I will print his picture for us. He, and all of you are in our prayers. I cannot tell you what made us choose him, but something did...and it was no doubt a good choice ! What an incredible man he was. It was great reading about his life. May God Bless you all, and may you find comfort in knowing that he has a special place in our home now and forever !
Sincerely,
Kristian, Kody, Kolby, and Jacob Thomas
Gail Egan
September 11, 2003
Dear Martin Egan Jr.
your will always be in our prays and may God keep you look down and see all the love that everyone has showen you at this time and that your life was not forgotten and you will live on
In Remberence- September 11 ,2003
Stephen C. Ur,Jr.
September 11, 2003
I never met Marty,but through Janet's praise and admiration for him,I feel like I've known him forever. May God bless Diane and their children,and may Marty rest in peace.
Lynne Carloni
September 12, 2002
Pat & Marty,
Let me join the world in a simple tribute to your son.
He is the defination of goodness & selflessness. I say IS... because he lives!!! and you will see him again in the glory of the Lord.
Your camping neighbor from Triplebrook.....
Lynne & her granddaughters.... Daria & Reba
Donna
September 11, 2002
Dear Diane and Family,
I pray for peace, love and tolerance for our world. I thank your husband for his heroic acts of courage. May God bless you and your family always.
Donna
Lisa Egan
September 10, 2002
My Brave Cousin
How does one begin to say good-bye to a cousin? I look at my babies playing with their cousins and I know why this is so hard. Cousins are fun. They play and laugh together. They share each other’s toys. Sometimes they torment each other. They are a party just by showing up. Cousins celebrate each other’s lives. Cousins are always supposed to stick together. We are always supposed to be in each other’s universe. Now a cousin is missing. How do we say good-bye to a piece of ourselves?
For some reason when I think of Marty Joe, I have him stuck somewhere between the ages of five and seven. Perhaps it is because that smile of mischief never left his face. He always was ready to play.
I'm thinking back to happy memories of times I've spent with Marty Joe. Oddly enough, my mind keeps traveling to the funerals we attended together as children. Cousins find themselves together in all sorts of circumstances. Maybe the funerals come to mind because they are examples of how we as cousins always managed to entertain one another. Marty Joe was in the midst of our cousin pack as we dared each other to try and touch the bodies of our beloved relatives. It wasn't that we were insensitive to the grief we were experiencing as a family. It was just that we were cousins and cousins tend to play. I remember waiting for the adults to leave the room to see who was truly brave. I remember that Marty Joe was always willing to join in the fun. I remember Marty Joe was one of the brave ones.
Now, it is so hard to believe that I am preparing to attend his funeral, my heroic cousin. Marty Joe’s bravery, his passion for his work and his compassion for human life enabled so many other families to not be where we, as a family, find ourselves at this time.
Our family is grieving. My Uncle Marty and Aunt Pat, Michael, Mark and Colleen and their growing families, there are now tears for every smile past. I love you all and hope I can find ways to help you as you move through this impossible time.
I am thinking of Diane. By the end of the first day I’d met her, her warmth and easy manner made it seem like she was always a part of our family. I remember thinking how lucky Marty Joe was to have found someone as loving as himself to share his life with. He made some very good choices in his lifetime. Diane is a gift from Marty Joe to us.
The most precious of his gifts, are Sean and Kerry. I am wondering how we can help them to know their Daddy. I am grateful for the cousin pack that Marty Joe leaves behind. We are left with a mission for Marty Joe, to fill in pieces and allow Sean and Kerry to know their father’s spirit and understand how much he is a part of them and of us. We will look out for these children together.
How does one begin to say good-bye to a cousin? Perhaps we don’t need to say good-bye, but instead reinvent our relationship.
I can see that smile, Marty Joe. I know you're in a peaceful place and ready to play. You'll be forever part of our lives, because cousins always stick together.
Doreen Reddy
September 10, 2002
Dear Marty & Family,
My words can never express how saddened I am with the loss of such a wonderful person in such a tragic way. My only condolence is that he died the way he lived, he was a loving and giving person and would do anything for anyone.
I justed wanted to say that there is never a day that goes by that I don't think about you and pray for your family and friends who love you so much and miss you tremendeously.
I came across this beautiful poem and I thought it would be appropriate.
Doubt sees the obstacles,
Faith sees the way.
Doubt sees the blackest night,
Faith sees the day.
Doubt dreads to take a step,
Faith soars on high;
Doubt questions, "Who Believes?"
Faith answers, "I".
Marty was and will always be a hero!
Forever in my heart,
Cheryll Ybarra
September 10, 2002
At church on 9/8/02, each of us picked a name for whose family we are to pray. I picked Captain Egan. I now feel connected to the tragedy in a way I never felt before. My prayers are constant for you and your family. Although we are a continent apart, I and my family are with you. We Thank you and we thank God for you. May your family live with the knowledge that you, Martin, are safe in God's arms.
kim zangrillo
August 7, 2002
Diane, I am so glad I had to chance to know Marty. He was one of the good guys. I grieve for you, your children and his family. I'm so glad he decided to hang around with me for that hour while our boys did karate. Everything he talked about always had to do with his Seanie, Kerri, you and the house. He made me laugh telling me stories about how he wanted everything done just right. When I saw you at opening day I didn't know what to say. I think about you and your children everyday. I hope Sean grows up remembering how his dad cheered him on as Master Larry made the boys run around the track and may Kerri remember how he wasn't too sure about whether or not he dressed her okay and fixed her hair neat enough.
May God bless all of you and give you strength.
susan
June 29, 2002
I am very sorry for the loss of your loved one. I pray that the family will find the strength to carry on.
ANONYMOUS
May 31, 2002
Diane,It was easy to be jealous of Marty. He rebuilt your house (I can't hammer a nail. He ran the marathon (I'm tired typing this note). He passed all the promotion tests he took (I.. oh well). I know that it had to occur to him that he might be standing up for all NYers when he ran into the WTC. But it was much more than that. He stood up for the entire free world. He and the other firefighters and cops and EMTs that died that day went without hesitation to stare down evil. Sean and Kerri will be adults one day and they will know that the right of Americans to live in a free place was defended and preserved by their father. I pray for you every day and know that God will Bless you always.
Dawn Nasella
May 9, 2002
TO YOUR HEARTBROKEN FAMILY,
MAY GOD CONTINUE TO BLESS THEM WITH THE STRENGTH THEY NEED TO GO ON. NOT ONLY ARE YOU A HERO TO THE ENTIRE WORLD, YOU ARE A TRUE HERO TO YOUR FAMILY & FRIENDS. IT WAS A GREAT PLEASURE & HONOR TO HAVE KNOWN YOU. GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY.
Angie Campbell
April 25, 2002
**********GOD BLESS YOU**********
Janet Mahon
March 19, 2002
My thoughts and prayers are with Diane and his family. I am wearing Marty's bracelet and it will always remind me of the great person he was. He will live forever in his children and in our memories.
Seeds Fran
March 10, 2002
I wear a ribbon with your name on it. I work in a hospital in Philadelphia. We prepared for the potential of receiving survivors. I am very sad to say we did not.
One of our employees decided to make our contributions to the 9/11 incident a more personal matter of giving and prepared a list of heroes lost on that day for us to add to a ribbon as we made our donation. I am am of Irish heritage, so your name stepped out to me immediately !
God belss you and your family and Thank you !
John Martin
February 25, 2002
I wish I had known Captain Martin Egan Jr. We were practically neighbors. I would have liked to talk about family connections. My great-grandfather, Martin Egan (1860-1903), was a signalman for the old B&O RR in Stapleton. My family will remember Captain Egan's valor and sacrifice in a special, personal way.
colleen egan
February 5, 2002
Marty, you will always be my big brother no matter where you are. I am so happy you were able to meet Christie-Leigh. We love you and miss you every day.Love your little sister Greenie
Martin Egan, Jr
February 5, 2002
It is a great honor to share the name of your heroic son. I only wish we could have met. Marty will always be in my prayers, as will his family. God bless you all.
Anonymous
January 15, 2002
DEAR LORD BLESS CAPTAIN MARTIN EGAN
JR..AND MAY HE REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS
FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND ALL THE BRAVE FIREMEN..
MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..AMEN
Teri Lyn Miller
January 7, 2002
I am proud to have his bracelet but would gladly give it up, to have him back for his family, friends & co-worker's! He is a true hero & when I was on the firefighters bulletin board & asked about him, I got a lot of replies about how wonderful he was. I grieve & pray for you all that were affected by losing him, daily. God Bless!
Teresa Jahn
January 4, 2002
We are extremely sorry for our nations great loss of Martin. We thank him with all our hearts for dedicating his life to save and protect others as a firefighter. As a firefighter we know his heart was brave, warm and caring. May Martin's courage, life and love live on in those who love him and in those he has helped. Our hearts cry deeply with you in America's loss of a hero.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
J Cherbonneau
December 26, 2001
Dear Captain Martin and Family,
I never had the pleasure to meet you but I wanted to express my heartfelt sorrow to the loved ones, friends and fellow firefighters you left behind on September 11.
Thank you for what you did everyday, I am sorry for what you had to do on that fateful day.
Rest I Peace with God. I know that is where you live, because that is where Heroes go when they perish and that is where Angels live, too!
God Bless you, Martin and your loved ones. I am sorry for their loss.
matty gleason
December 14, 2001
marty,you will live on,young and brave,in the memory of all americans,long after the rest of us are gone and forgotten.
Paul T. Devine
November 8, 2001
As a grandson of a former Boston fireman,I salute you. May God bless you, protect you, and love you.
Susan Steadman
November 1, 2001
I am proud to wear a bracelet commemorating the life of Martin Egan, Jr., killed in the line of duty of September 11, 2001. He and his family are in my thoughs and prayers each day.
Betty Anne Murphy (Sirianni)
October 3, 2001
We lost our sister, Mary Murphy-Boffa in the WTC. From the bottom of our hearts we thank Captain Egan for his unselfish act in an effort to save Mary and the countless other victims. Our friend, Terri knows your other son, Mark and his wife Leslie and therefore we feel a kinship to your family. We share your loss and will pray for Mark and his firefighter brothers all the days of our lives.
God bless you all.
Betty Anne Murphy and family
Phyllis Egan-Brewton
October 3, 2001
To the family you shall remain always in my prayers. Martin Egan, Jr. will be a hero forever in his country's heart. As eagles soar above this great country, so will his spirit of bravery.
Barbara Favale
October 2, 2001
Diane and Family, my family wishes you and yours strength and togetherness at this time of loss. We love you all!
Barbara Bolin
September 23, 2001
MY THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO YOU ALL.MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.
CAPTAIN MARTIN EGANJR.,A TRUE HERO,
MAY YOU REST IN PEACE.
McKenna Cole
September 19, 2001
No greater love exists than the one that leads a man to lay down his life for others. America is a better place because of your unselfish dedication to the service and safety of fellow citizens. You embody the spirit of America and love. May you rest in peace. And may your family find comfort and hope in the memories of you they hold close in heart.
Veronica Ayres
September 19, 2001
My heart goes out to the family and frinds. May you know his passing was not in vain, but acting unselfishly, to save others. For this reason he will always be remembered as a Hero to this great country we live in. God Bless!!!
Jamie Copeland
September 19, 2001
My deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Captain Egan. Although I may have never known him, his heroism on September 11, 2001, will forever be embedded in my mind and heart. Captain Martin Egan Jr., you will not be forgotten by the American People. We have shed tears for you as if you were our own brother. God Bless you.
marylou holmes
September 18, 2001
kind sir, thank you for your gift of you. may godspeed, love and protect you at his bounty. please pray and help us mortals through this most difficult time, sincerely, marylou holmes, los angeles
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