Brooklyn born and bred, Firefighter Anthony Malfi defined what it meant to be a New Yorker. Every day he woke up and bettered himself, always helping a neighbor along the way. On the City of New York’s most infamous day, September 11, 2001, and the endless days after, Anthony would show up when his neighbors needed it most. At the time, Anthony was living on Staten Island with his wife, Sally, and six-year-old son Michael, while serving with Engine 243/Ladder 168. During his service in Bensonhurst, Anthony served as a chief’s aid. He served for eight years, until his retirement in 2004.

The Fire Department of New York was not the first time Anthony served his city. He was a member of the Department of Correction from 1990 to 1996. Anthony served Maximum Corrections on Rikers Island, and the most lighthearted thing to come from it is Anthony winning MVP of the prison-wide softball tournament. In 1998, his daddy’s girl, Madison, was born, and even after his passing Anthony curated a beautiful life for his wife and children.

Anthony was a role model to many, well beyond his children. While we have admiration for those who served at Ground Zero, those around Anthony admired him as an individual. Anthony was someone who believed in you and wanted to help you see it through. Anything he ever did, he always saw through. If anyone who knew him ever needed a helping hand, a word of advice, or a shoulder to cry on, they looked to him. He wore many hats and took great pride in whatever he devoted himself to. He always gave it his all. His effort and actions as a husband and father are the reason behind days like Father’s Day.

Anthony’s friends were his family and knew they could count on him for anything. Some of his closest friends were from teenage years, DJing in the 80s, or the early 2000s when Anthony found his passion for golf. In his usual nature, he had to try to be the best golfer he could.

In between his time in the FDNY and his time on the green, he owned and operated a highly successful contracting business. Anthony was the hardest worker most people knew. He was a mentor to his many employees who to the present day are still proudly working in his honor. His last accomplishment in life would’ve been Master Plumber, but during his test prep course in 2019, he was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer as a result of his service at the World Trade Center.

May Anthony forever be remembered for his selfless nature, in which he made the ultimate sacrifice.