Memories of Thomas Kelly

Brother recalls his dedication to work, community

Tommy -- he is still right there almost ten years gone.

My brother worked for the FDNY ladder 105 in Brooklyn. Tom responded to the attacks with his company that morning. They never came home. Tom, Capt. Vinny Brunton, Henry Miller, Frank Palumbo, John Chipura, and Dennis Oberg were last seen in the lobby near the South Tower waiting to take an elevator to one of the upper floors, to help rescue some of the innocent folks who were in trouble.

As of this writing, there has not been any recovery. Tommy loved working on "Dean St." Almost as much as he loved home in Reeves Park in Riverhead. Tom would make the commute into Brooklyn knowing he could come back to our little piece of heaven. Back in Riverhead, he was able to look after our parents, Emmet and Sue, as well as Max the dalmatian, who was a rescued firehouse dog. Max's story would fill a page so I'll leave it with he was a unique animal.

Tom became involved in a number of causes near the end of his life. He helped with AIDS awareness, doing bike rides all over the East Coast, helping to raise funds for an illness that was not understood.

Tommy also dedicated himself to the community. He became a registered diver, and volunteered his time working with the Riverhead foundation. He would dive with the sharks to help show that they are not all bad. They say life is a series of peaks and valleys, my brother Tommy was going up a peak at the time he was killed. When I reported to work at my firehouse that morning, the attacks had already begun. I knew Tom was working, I called the firehouse just to tell him to be safe. I was too late -- they had already responded. I never was able to say goodbye.

We hold a scholarship evey year at St. Mary Gate of heaven in Ozone Park, where we grew up. We also hold a golf outing every year to raise funds for the Fiverhead Foundation, to help in the recovery of injured marine life. Tommy was a great friend, the favorite uncle, the funniest cousin and a loving son. I miss him all the time. Thanks Tommy, not fadeaway

Robert Kelly, Oceanside

Ex-classmate: Tommy 'watching over' us

 I went to St. Mary Gate of Heaven school with Tommy Kelly and the last time I was with Tommy was at a Christmas party the year before 9/11. All our classmates were together that year and we were all having a great time. We were all reminiscing about our grammar school days, and about all the fun we had growing up in Ozone Park and playing basketball.

You see, growing up in a community like ours was great because we all stuck together, even though people in our class moved away, we still kept in touch with one another. The person that threw this Christmas party for all of us had a basketball gym in his house and Tommy, my husband Billy, Timmy Quirk (who is no longer with us either), and a few other guys decided to play. I said to them, "You guys are nuts, you are in no shape to play and someone is going to get hurt." They all laughed at me and said we will be careful.

Tommy guarded my husband Billy the whole time. We were hysterical laughing. He kept pushing him, tickling him, but the best part was to see these guys having fun. When the game was over, Tommy came over to me, hugged me and said I told you I'd watch over Billy and gave be a big hug.

Today, I know Tommy is watching over Billy and myself giving us that big hug. Tommy, we will never forget you. We love you and miss you. We never forget the memories of those days at SMGH, and Billy never forgets the days that you and your firehouse Ladder Co. 105 came into Keyfood in Park Slope, Brooklyn, to the deli counter and he would serve you every day. Thank you Tommy for the memories.

Today we honor Tommy at St. Mary Gate of Heaven with a scholarship dinner every October and this year will be our 10th year. God bless you Tommy.

Love,

Graceann and Billy Bavaro, Ozone Park