Gerard was known as Gerry to many. His childhood dream was to say he was ‘on the job.’ Through his 20 years with the NYC Fire Department he became a practical joker. He loved his ‘brothers’ and keeping them smiling.
Gerry had 2 children-Jaclyn and Brian. He was married 26 years to his wife Denise. They just recently bought their dream house in upstate NY. They spent weeks at a time there just enjoying life. Gerry had a Golden Retriever named ‘Roscoe’ who was truly ‘man’s best friend.’
To remember Gerry would be to remember all the love he had for his ‘brothers‚’ wife and children. ‘Daddy-you’ll always be my hero.’
Denise Schrang
Our family did the Colorado stair climb in you memory today 9-11-2016. Our 7 year old wore your image with him as we climbed the stairs. We remember.
– Mike curryI just did a memorial stair climb in honor of you!! I wore a picture of you while walking, I am 7 months pregnant and can’t wait to tell my baby about this some day. God bless you and your family <3
– Brittany SmithDoing a memorial walk in Belton, SC today September 9, 2018. Gerard is the one of got to walk in memory of. It’s truly an honor and thank you for your service.
– Jason MontjoyMcAllen Stairclimb in honor of your Gerry! Thank you for all you sacrificed for your service and most of all your kind heart! ❤️ I wore your picture on my lanyard and can imagine all you brave men went through! No day shall erase you from the memory of time 9/11
– Erica HulingsI just finished the Step up for Heroes stair climb in your memory. God bless you and all of the other fallen heroes that died on 9-11.
– Jodi Ekle9/11/19 Colorado’s 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Red Rocks in Morrison, CO
– Ashleigh WallaceToday I had the honor of wearing Gerard Patrick Schrang’s name badge. Thank you to the entire family for his 20 years of service as a firefighter, and for his bravery on 9/11, and all the days before that.
To the Schrang Family,
– Henry John YantzI am one of Gerry’s former teachers at Sachem Schools. Recently my wife and I were in Kinsale, Ireland on a three week tour of Ireland, London and Paris and including the Beaches at Normandy. Just before we went to our hotel in Kinsale for the evening our driver/guide said he had one more thing to show us. It was a a typical cold and rainy Irish early winter late day just before sundown. He showed us a park near Kinsale with hundreds of young trees planted by a women in memory and marked for all the firefighters who died on 9/11 plus others like Father Mychal Judge. He and I were walking among the trees and he asked me who it was that I knew who died at ground zero and just as I told him Gerry’s name he said “Here it is! I took pictures of myself and Gerry’s tree. Said a prayer for him and all the others who lost their lives. Then we continued to walk around the park finding trees for others we knew who died and then retreated to the car as darkness fell and the cold night began. I felt so proud of all those who like Gerry gave their lives for us and the woman who built the beautiful forest park in their honor whom I believe is now deceased.
Henry John Yantz
I am currently a recruit in the Pima County Sheriffs Department academy. Tomorrow I will be doing the memorial stair climb with my fellow recruits. I am very grateful to walk with you and to honor you tomorrow! I will not disappoint in any way! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! We will NEVER forget!
– Stanley OdellI am currently a recruit in the Pima County Sheriffs Department academy. Tomorrow (09/11/2021) I will be doing the memorial stair climb with my fellow recruits. I am very grateful to walk with you and to honor you tomorrow! I will not disappoint in any way! Thank you for your service and sacrifice! We will NEVER forget!
– Stanley OdellWe will never forget all of those that died sept 11 love and peace be with familys
– Barbara nordI climbed in your honor today on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. I had a hip replacement in June 3 but I didn’t let it stop me from finishing the climb. I’m bringing your image with me all over Green Bay, WI. You will be remembered.
– Catherine WilsonToday was a hot and smokey day in California which seemed appropriate to carry your image up 110 flights of stairs. I’m sure it was much hotter and smokier where you were today 20 years ago. I’m sorry you lost your life and your family lost you. I will NOT FORGET your sacrifice.
– Peter SchultzI’ll be doing a 9/11 stair climb tomorrow in memory of Gerry. Such an honor to be doing this for a wonderful and much loved fallen hero. ♥️
– gwen oconnorToday I climbed 110 floors in honor of Gerard Patrick Schrang at the Fritz-Walther-Stadium in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
– Claudia BanuaNever forgotten.
I Climbed for Gerry this year, 2024 at FDIC in Indianapolis. I was my honor to call his name and ring the bell. He will neve be forgotten.
– Heather BaconToday I ran a 5K for the Tunnels to Towers organization. I had the HONOR of bringing Gerry with me! Thank you Gerry for serving our country and Thank You to the Schrang family!
– Kassandra CrawfordToday I did a class project on Gerard Schrang. I didn’t understand the full concept of the troubles these poor firefighters went through until I started reading some of the posts, watched the videos, and wrote about him. Nobody could ever compare to what these brave souls have done to get the many people out of those towers. As well as climbing up those 110 flights of stairs filled with blistering heat and floor after floor of smoke and destruction. Thank you for all you’ve done for the people you’ve saved!
– Kain Kenneth CrumpLove to this family. Today (2024) in Leesburg, VA, I climbed stairs in Gerry’s honor. The experience to show respect to Gerry was a privilege not to be forgotten.
– Phil Mazzocco