FDNY Foundation Donates $25,000 to Scholarship Fund for Children of Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso

FDNY Foundation Donates $25,000 to Scholarship Fund for Children of Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso

The FDNY Foundation has contributed $25,000 to a scholarship fund for the children of Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso of Division 13 in Queens, killed on Thurs., March 15 in the line of duty. Lt. Raguso was killed alongside Fire Marshal Christopher T. “Tripp” Zanetis of the Bureau of Fire Investigation in an American military helicopter crash in Iraq.

The Foundation has also established the Scholarship Fund to Benefit the Children of FDNY Lieutenant Christopher Raguso.

Donations in his honor can be made online or by calling 718-999-0779.

Lt. Raguso is a 13-year veteran of the Department; Fire Marshal Zanetis is a 10-year veteran.

“We grieve with the family, and we grieve as a family,” said Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro. “It’s a very tough loss for us. The scholarship fund can be found at FDNYFoundation.org and the Foundation will be taking care of this family’s five-year-old and six-year-old little girls. So please open your hearts and open your wallets and let’s do the right thing.”

“The scholarship which FDNY is putting together for my grandchildren’s college fund… I’m stunned,” said Anthony Dichiara, Lt. Raguso’s Father-In-Law. “It seems like every time I have a meeting with FDNY, I sit there with my mouth open because I can’t believe the unity and the help. I’ve been told by the Commissioner, by everyone, saying it’s not over. This will go on for the rest of their lives. It feels so good knowing that my daughter and my grandchildren will be taken care of. It’s remarkable what FDNY does. I cannot say enough. There are no words to describe the unity.”

“This is an unimaginable loss for Lieutenant Raguso’s family and a devastating loss for this country and for the FDNY,” said FDNY Foundation Board Chairman Stephen Ruzow. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the loved ones of Lieutenant Raguso, as well as the loved ones of Fire Marshal Christopher Zanetis and the five other serve members who lost their lives serving our country overseas. It is our incredible privilege to honor Lt. Raguso’s memory with this donation for his children.”

Currently, 62 FDNY personnel are on extended military orders in the branches of the United States Armed Forces, serving around the world. There are more than 1400 FDNY members who are military reservists or veterans.

Lt. Raguso of Commack, New York, is survived by his wife, Carmella, and their two daughters, ages 6 and 5.