A 25-year-old Brooklyn firefighter with a verve for life, who made the supreme sacrifice on 9/11, was immortalized when his local parish dedicated a school library in memory of Firefighter Joseph P. Henry.
The rescue worker, who came from a long line of firefighters, and was assigned to Ladder 21 in Manhattan when terrorists struck the World Trade Center, was recalled with misty-eyes and glowing words at Most Precious Blood School, 70 Bay 47th Street, where his family and fellow firefighters attended the poignant unveiling of the “Firefighter Joseph P. Henry 9/11 Memorial Library.”
Firefighter Henry’s father, Retired Battalion Chief Edward Henry, mother Alice and five siblings, who have established an annual memorial in his honor, presented a check for $5,000 to help underprivileged families with tuition costs.
Fondly nicknamed “Joey,” the honoree was posthumously remembered for his affectionate and playful spirit, and his love of baseball. He played catcher and infield at Lafayette High School in Bensonhurst, where he continued to play through the summer of 2001 in an adult league.
As a 14-year-old, Firefighter Henry helped his team win the Gil Hodges League North Atlantic Regional Championship and traveled to Texas for the league world series.
“He always said, ‘We’re young. We should enjoy these days,” wrote his long-time girlfriend Julia Corrales on his tribute Web page.
