Fallen Firefighter's Toy Drive Gets Bigger, Better

"How you should give forward and keep doing nice things for people and if

everybody did that the world would be a better place, very simple thing to do," Diane said.

WCBS-TV 12/19/08

Many are mourning a hero firefighter from Staten Island who died on the job last month. But on Thursday his legacy lived with a tribute in toys.

It was a chance to smile for the firefighters who worked side by side with Lt. Robert Ryan. He died on Nov. 23 when a ceiling caved in during a house fire in New Brighton. On Thursday, his fellow firefighters honored him by continuing the toy drive he started, at Staten Island University Hospital.

"It feels really good, you know," said Capt. John Graziano of Ladder Co. 78. "Sometimes they say good things come after bad and Bobby's passing a couple of weeks ago we hope we will be able to continue in his name."

Ryan started the toy drive two years ago after he was so badly burned fighting a fire in Brooklyn it took him a year to recover.

When he was finally released from the burn center, he would keep coming back to visit the children who were still suffering.

Ryan left behind four children, who said it's an honor to carry on their father's legacy.

"It's amazing to see the turnout, just how many people my father touched," Christopher Ryan said. "The fire department was his life and he lived to serve people. That's just what he did, you know?"

He especially loved children, and his nephews will never forget the lessons he taught.

"Be brave, be strong, stand up for others," Nicholas Iacovani said.

"It made me feel good that I had an uncle that loved people more than he did himself," Michael Spallanzani said.

Ryan's sister, Diane, said her big brother always talked about paying it forward.

"How you should give forward and keep doing nice things for people and if everybody did that the world would be a better place, very simple thing to do," Diane said.

This celebration is now known as the Lt. Ryan Memorial Toy drive, and the family plans to keep it going.

Ryan touched so many people in the community, this year his fellow firefighters were able to collect twice as many gifts than last year. 

related...

Fallen FDNY Vet Honored At Hospital   NY1 News 12/18/08

 

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