Lt. Joe Gullickson, 37,
devoted to family,
History buff
"always looked out for his men"
Joe Gullickson Memorial Photos
by Frank Williams
Copyright © November 07, 2001
The Staten Island Advance.
Sept. 9 was a lot like any other Sunday for Joseph and Robert Gullickson, a pair of brothers who shared a special bond made even closer by geography.
The brothers, who lived two doors from one another in West Brighton, met outside that sunny afternoon by happenstance, chatting briefly about their plans for the day.
"He was just out walking the dog and, as usual, we were just talking," said Robert. "We had a very, very tight relationship. We were basically best friends."
Joseph, a World War II history buff who enjoyed reading biographies of generals who fought in that war, was especially excited about watching "Band of Brothers," which premiered that night on HBO.
But Robert never found out what his younger brother thought of the show, because less than 48 hours later Joseph, a 37-year-old Fire Department lieutenant at Ladder Co. 101 in Red Hook, Brooklyn, led his firefighters to the inferno raging at the World Trade Center.
He is one of seven members of his house who remain missing.
"Joe was an exceptional officer, always learning, always teaching and, above all, always looking out for his men," said Capt. Tom Giordano of Ladder 101.
"This was a man dedicated to his job and totally devoted to his family," he added. "My prayers go out to his family, especially his lovely wife, Naoemi, and his children, Amanda and Isabel. I am proud to call Joe a brother, a hero, a friend."
Mr. Gullickson, who would have celebrated his fifth wedding anniversary on Sept. 28, was enamored of his young and growing family.
"We were a special couple and he absolutely adored his children," said his wife, the former Naoemi Perez. "Joe was a loving and protective family man. He was big in stature and spirit. He had a big laugh and a very gentle disposition."
Mr. Gullickson loved taking his daughters -- Amanda, 3, and Isabel, 1 -- on outings to the Staten Island Zoo and Clove Lakes Park, and he was especially proud accompanying Amanda to pre-school.
"He was very proud of his daughters, right from the start," his brother said. "He was excited about getting involved in their lives. Even after a long day at work, he would always find time to push Isabel down the street in her stroller while Amanda rode next to him on her scooter or bicycle."
Born in Westerleigh and brought to Todt Hill as a child, Mr. Gullickson settled in West Brighton in 1995.
"Joe was like sunshine on a cloudy day," said his mother, Patricia. "Most of all, I'll remember how he was always there with that radiant smile and great laugh. I'll miss him dearly."
Mr. Gullickson loved dogs, especially Lucy, his Rottweiler, who was bred from a dog owned by his father, Robert. He also was a big fan of the TV classic "The Honeymooners" and enjoyed listening to popular music. The Grateful Dead and Frank Sinatra were among his favorites.
"Joe had a great love of American popular standard music," said his longtime firefighter friend, Zeke Quin of West Brighton. "We would sit and listen to everything from Frank Sinatra to Merle Haggard, while trading one-liners from 'The Honeymooners.' I'll miss him."
A graduate of Moore Catholic High School, Mr. Gullickson was a patrolman with the city Police Department assigned to the 68th Precinct in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for three years before joining the Fire Department in 1988.
He began his firefighting career at Engine Co. 243 in Brooklyn. In 1995, he was promoted to lieutenant and assigned to Ladder 101.
"Joe came to Engine 243 as a probationary firefighter who was eager to learn, respectful and polite," said Vincent Masucci, a retired lieutenant who knew Mr. Gullickson at the beginning of his career. "I took an immediate liking to him. He stood out and was a very likable guy."
Mr. Gullickson's brother, Robert, an engineer who works in SoHo and saw the Twin Towers collapse from an office window, made his way to the World Trade Center on the morning of Sept. 11, figuring his brother was at the site. Robert was later joined by his youngest brother, Ralph. The two stayed at the command center until 2 a.m., waiting for word about Joseph.
Robert, Ralph and another brother, Thomas, spent the next nine days digging through the rubble, searching for Joseph or anyone else who might still be alive.
"We truly believed it was a rescue operation at that point," said Robert.
Mr. Gullickson and Ralph also ran Richmond Lawn Sprinklers, a business their father started nearly two decades ago. The family has installed underground and automatic sprinklers in Gracie Mansion and the Museum of Natural History in Manhattan.
He was a parishioner of Blessed Sacrament R.C. Church, West Brighton, and enjoyed playing basketball as a member of the FDNY league.
In addition to his wife, Naoemi; his daughters, Amanda and Isabel; his parents, Patricia and Robert; and his brothers, Robert, Thomas and Ralph, survivors include his sister, Patricia Byrne, and his grandmother, Mary Reilly.
A memorial mass is scheduled for Saturday at 10:30 a.m. in Blessed Sacrament Church.