Gregorio Morales died from cancer related to his response to the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. He had a liver transplant in Houston, Texas. He was diagnosed with L4 cancer in January 2016 and was gone by July 30, 2016.
He worked on 9/11/2001 and at Ground Zero for 35 days. His assignment duties included identifying remains recovered from Ground Zero at the Medical Examiner’s Office at Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan.
He served with the FDNY for 25 years and was promoted to fire marshal on August 1, 1993. He worked in the Special Investigation Unit. His professional accomplishments are so numerous, I can only name a few. Honors and medals from the FDNY included Basic Crime Scene Investigation, Advanced Origin, and Courtroom Methodology. For bravely pursuing and apprehending an armed felon while on duty without the benefit of a bulletproof vest or any form of communication, he received the Thomas A. Kenny Memorial Medal. He received the World Trade Center Medal for valor and dedication to helping his fellow firefighters.
During his career, he worked for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority as a New York City bus operator and for the United States Postal Service as letter carrier. He served in the United States Navy as a photographer 3rd class P.O. and was honorably discharged.
My husband was a kind and gentle soul who never brought his work home until 9/11/2001. He loved his work with FDNY; it gave him such pride. He never said no to helping neighbors, friends, and family. He was very active in church functions.
He is survived by his wife, Maria Morales, and his daughters, Sol Kristina Morales Rodriguez and Liza Morales.
He is buried at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.
Papo we miss you and feel your not being here. But, I thank you for the conversation we had after I picked you up at the hospital in Houston. The one part I remember well is
– Hector Morales“Value the people that you love and love you” forget about wealth and possessions. In the end they don’t compare to the people in your life.