Honoring Michael Montesi

Honoring Michael G. Montesi

Rescue Company 1-Manhattan

World Trade Center North Tower

They say you never forget where you were....

5 years ago I was a newlywed. My husband and I had been married for 6 weeks. We were living in Fort Worth, Texas and I was sitting in our small seminary apartment. I had only just accepted a job the day before. Jeremy was in class, but was getting ready to go to chapel. I ran to him..."we had just honeymooned in New York City five weeks ago!!!" We have some of the last pictures of the Trade Center Towers, standing so tall from the Empire State Building. Sadness and shock settled in to our lives and that day our world changed even more.

Michael Montesi, 39 years old, from Highland Mills, NY, was meant to be a firefighter! He spent 13 years with the Fire Department and was a member of Rescue Company 1 in Manhattan. At age 5, he already owned a fire helmet and waited for years for the call from the Fire Department that sent him to a ladder company in 1988. His sister said "It was in his blood." As a firefighter on duty, he met his wife Nancy, who had stopped by the firehouse to ask for directions. They had three children, Matthew, Ian and Ryan who adored their father. The oldest two were involved in learning to play hockey and Michael was their assistant coach. In fact, he was set to leave work early on Sept 11th...the boys had a game and he promised to be there.

On the day of Michael's memorial service, they remembered a man who strived for excellence and the way he lifted and energized those around him. Many distant relatives honored Michael on the Legacy site. Their words spoke volumes about the kind of man, husband, father, and firefighter that he was.

To Michael's family - Oh I pray that you would find that your son, husband, and father has been honored in the most loving way on this day; the five year anniversary. It is only by God's divine way that I was set to honor Michael. I had prayed for a firefighter to honor, since my father-in-law is a retired firefighter. I have prayed and thought much about your family over the past 2 months, ever since receiving his name. I pray that the peace that only God can give settles over you today and every day after. May his legacy live on in the lives of his children. I would have been honored to know such a man as Michael. I won't forget. We MUST never forget. May God Bless You all!

In Christ-

Karen