A Final Tribute to Chuck

I can’t believe we have come upon the 24^th anniversary that would forever change lives for so many. Where were you when the world stopped turning? For some they were in a classroom, driving to work, dropping their kids off at school or daycare, sitting in their office, or on a jobsite. So many people were living their lives thinking it would be an ordinary day, but little did they know that America would suffer an unthinkable tragedy. When tragedy strike, heroes emerge, like Lt. Charles “Chuck” Margiotta.

He was a brother, son, father, firefighter, gardener, stuntman, private investigator, substitute teacher, coach, and so much more. He embodied a spirit that can never be forgotten, as he gave his all to each important thing he did. They say they don’t know how he had time for so much, but he never missed anything often wondering when he had time to sleep.

Chuck always knew that he wanted to be a cop or a firefighter and talked of helping people from an early age. While at Brown University he found a way to help the community. He would hold coat and clothes drives for the homeless and personally deliver the items to them.  He helped deliver medical supplies from hospital to hospital during a blizzard because he had the only 4-wheel drive truck around. While Mike and his family were visiting Brown, they learned he had gotten a commendation from the Mayor for that act. Chuck was not someone to boast about his good deeds, he did acts of service without expecting anything in return. He would help a neighbor cross the street, and when it snowed, he often times plowed the whole block so everyone could get out of their house. He was a man of service, even when he wasn’t “on the job.” 

After he left Brown University, he became a foreman for GM. That’s when he decided that his true calling was in public service and helping others and ultimately left his high paying job at GM to join the FDNY.

On the morning of 9/11 he was heading home after his shift.  He heard the call on the radio and decided that he needed to go back and help.  While it ultimately cost him his life, there was nothing he would rather do than to serve people in need. There is no telling how many lives he saved that day, but we are all forever grateful for his service to the people of New York.

I asked Mike what his favorite memory of Chuck is and he responded he doesn’t have just one, but something came to mind “Chuck was crazy in the best of ways. He fought for the underdog, and he never looked for a fight, but never walked away either. He had a certain way he laughed without sound, holding one hand on his chest.  He also had a great sense of humor and found The Far Side comic funny.”

Chuck had a great sense of humor but couldn’t have pasta without his “grating cheese.” While they were out for a run, a cook stayed behind at the firehouse to make spaghetti. The crew soon returned and they all sat down to eat, but there was no “grating cheese.” Chuck made them all pile into the engine and head to the Italian Specialty Deli to get some cheese. After all, no pasta dish is complete without some “grating cheese!”  

He was a lover of animals and would try to save as many as he could. He once gave mouth to mouth to a little critter using a straw, and it worked! If he was able to rescue something and release it back to the wild, he would hold a ceremony to mark its release. Everyone would gather in the front yard to mark this momentous occasion of a wild animal being set free.

When Chuck and Mike were growing up their father would host a big Fourth of July party complete with loads of people, BBQ, games, and a swim in their pool. One year, when Chuck was about 15 years old, he decided that he would jump off the roof and into the pool. Against his mother’s wishes and saying “we know someone who was paralyzed from doing that” he continued doing it every year until July 4, 2001. Mike said that even though they know people now, who have been paralyzed from diving into an above ground pool, they didn’t at the time this all started.

Chuck always had time for friends and family. Often coaching his kids in whatever sport they were involved in. From coaching to Sunday night dinners with family, he always made time for those he loved. He was also an avid gardener and had a huge garden with vegetables in his backyard and at the firehouse. The firehouse garden was described as “Jurassic Park” like because it was wild and out of control, but it was loved and cared for by Chuck. He would use his harvest at the firehouse, or home, for meals, and gave some of the veggies away. He truly was a man who loved his community and those around him.

Mike and Chuck in May 2001

I asked Mike “If Chuck could give one piece of advice to this generation, what would he say?” He responded “value every minute you have with family and friends.” 

Chuck, thank you for giving your life to save others. I know you wouldn’t want to be called a hero, but your actions that day were heroic. You saved many lives, and while they may not know who you are, I hope they remember your actions. 

Mike now works hard to keep his brothers memory alive. Chucks wife, Norma, still lives in the same house and is close to their kids. Their daughter, Norma Jean is a school teacher and reads names on Staten Island for 9/11.  Their son, Charlie, is a lawyer.  They all miss Chuck, so incredibly much. 

Remember friends, it’s ok to be involved or passionate about something, but never forget your loved ones, make time for them, even if you’re busy. Let them know how much you love them, and when you think about 9/11, I hope you remember Chuck.

Mike has set up a scholarship fund in memory of Chuck, and is always appreciative for donations.

He has also set up a website where you can read stories about Chuck and see more photos.

 

*All pictures have been used with permission.

24

Chuck (#24) making devastating
block during 1973 season.

For many of us 24 is just a number, a date, or a year, and for some it has great significance. While speaking with Mike I expressed to him how hard it was to come up with things to say that were new, that no one had read before, and he shared with me some knowledge, "Don't write unless you have something to say." With that being said, in honor of Chuck, who donned the number 24 on his high school football jersey, this will be my last 9/11 tribute post to him.  

It has been such an honor to remember him in writing for so long, and now I will forever carry his memory in my heart.  This blog will remain up as a remembrance to him, and I'll only write if I have something to say. I have shed many tears thinking, and talking, about this moment, but it means that it was a passion of mine. A passion that my husband knew about from day one, but I shuttered thinking about telling others.  I didn't want anyone to think I was weird! My husband has been my greatest support during this journey. He's watched tv while hearing the clinking of my keyboard keys and wondering what great novel I was writing, only to realize what day it was. He's watched as the wheels in my head turn to find the words to put on paper, or this screen.  He's cheered me on and supported my quest to learn more.  The real support behind this blog isn't myself, it's my husband, Chuck, Mike, our daughter and son. It's the people who believed in what I was doing and the real reason behind it. 

I was speaking with a friend, and I told her how important it was for people to remember that the lives lost are not just characters in a history book. She expressed that they are real people with families, hopes, and dreams, and they deserve to be remembered as such.  When you read the history books and see them talking about 9/11, I hope you remember Chuck, and all the others who were lost that day. 

*All photos of Chuck are used with permission.

A Timeline of Past Events

This blog will continue to serve a purpose, but will no longer contain my wild thoughts on things from 20 years ago. It will always be a place to remember Lt. Charles "Chuck" Margiotta and to keep his memory alive. I had the opportunity to speak with his brother, Mike, over the weekend and what an honor it was. Thank you for your time and your willingness to speak with me and share things about Chuck and life. I'm forever grateful for his service. In lieu of my annual September 11th post, I would like to talk a little about how this all came to be. 

September 11, 2001 

I was a 17-year-old high school senior walking down the hall. One of the teachers stopped me in the hallway to ask if I had seen anything about the attacks yet. I hadn't, primarily because I was an office aid for first period and we didn't have a tv to watch on. The bell rang, and off to second period I went. The tv was on and everyone's eyes were glued to it. We watched in horror as the second plane struck the WTC. Then we found out about the Pentagon. I had family working there at the time so I ran to my mom's office in tears. To say the day was a wash is an understatement. Nothing productive in class happened that day. No one could speak, we were all terrified because no one knew what was going on. We came together as a class, a school, and a community. It was a time where the country was united. 

2005 

A friend of mine told me about a website where you could sign up to remember one of the 2,996 lives lost on September 11th. I was honored to do so, and was awarded Lt. Charles Margiotta. 

2006 

I wrote my very first blog post about Chuck. It was hard to find information about him at the time, but the internet has changed that tremendously. 

2025 

This will be my 19th year honoring him and to say that I'm a different person than I was in 2006 would be an understatement. As I shared with Mike, I told him that when I signed up I was given a name. At that time Charles was just a name, as crazy as that sounds, but today he is an old friend. Someone I've had the pleasure to get to know and remember year after year. I'm so thankful that I could get to know him through the use of technology. He was a fantastic man and I'm honored that he is a part of my life. When I was 21, and signing up for this, I never imagined what this experience would do to me. Who knew that I would connect with Mike, and have the honor of speaking with him? My 21-year-old self could never comprehend what is happening today. This blog isn't just about Charles, and keeping his memory alive, it's about reminding people of a time when our country was under attack, and remembering those who were lost. Today, when I think about 9/11, Chuck always comes to mind. It's no longer about being 17 and in a school building, it's about remembering him, and countless others. I'm no longer 17, or 21, thank goodness, but I have grown in that time. As we head into the 24th Anniversary, please keep the memory of 9/11 in your hearts and the thousands of families that have been affected.