Lt. Ronnie E. Gies was assigned to Engine 14 in Manhattan in 1988 after Probie School; he later moved on to Engine 308 in Richmond Hill and in 1990 took his career to the Special Operations Company of Squad 288 in Maspeth‚ Queens. On September 10‚ 2001‚ he was promoted to the office of Lieutenant‚ which he wanted and studied for so hard.
Ronnie was also a volunteer firefighter in his hometown of Merrick‚ Long Island‚ where he achieved the rank of Chief of Department twice‚ being in the Chief’s office for a total of 6 years. He ended his career in the position of Chairman of the Board for Friendship Engine and Hose Company #2 of the Merrick Fire Department. Having been in the Volunteer Fire Department for 25 years‚ Ronnie was highly educated and trained in all aspects of firefighting‚ rescue‚ recovery and CFR-D.
Nothing was more important to Ronnie than his family. Father of three teenage sons: Tommy-19‚ Ronnie-17 and Bobby-14. They were what he lived for. Sports‚ vacations‚ and just hanging out with his sons were the highlights of his life. Each of his sons was involved in their father’s firefighting career in one way or another.
Ronnie and Carol were married for 20 years on September 5‚ 2001. They had such a strong‚ mutual love for one another. Ronnie‚ Carol and ‘the boys‚’ as they were known‚ had so many plans for their future together – cut extremely too short as a family unit. ‘The boys’ and Carol will try to go on in Ronnie’s memory and always keep his spirit‚ heart and soul alive.
I just completed a 9/11 Memorial 110 floor stair climb in Panama City, Florida. Every participant was given a name badge with the name and photo of one of the 343 who died to wear during the stair climb.. I had Ronnie’s name and want to see who he was. RIP Ronnie Gies.
– PaulI just want to say I found the family on an ESPN special. I wish I could contact them to show I had their dad/husband as the necklace I bought in middle school to support those lost. I’m holding it in my hand now and wish they could see it. He will never be forgotten.
– KristinOn Sept. 11, 2016 I will have the pleasure of walking in our first Disney Memorial Walk. I am walking in honor of Ronnie Gies. Your story of love and family is so inspiring. Thank you for your service and sacrifice.
– Kristilyn FoxI am one of the organizers of the Central New York 9/11 Stair Climb. On 9/9/16 I proudly climbed for LT. Ronnie E. Gies. As a fellow first responder to the WTC I can not tell you how honored I was to carry Ronnie with me this year. I will carry Ronnie’s picture with me until next year’s stair climb. Godspeed Sir and God bless Ronnie’s family and his brothers and sisters in the FD.
– Sgt Dave OlneyThis is the second year I’ve done a GoRuck (a team endurance event ran by Green Berets) to honor the loss of Lt. Gies. I never knew a man I never met could teach me so much. Today as in every other I thank Lt. Gies and his family for his sacrifice and it was honor to carry his picture and story over 24 hours and 20+ miles through NYC.
– ErnestoI climbed for Lt. Gies in the OKC memorial stair climb on 9/03/16 I was in my eighth grade civics class the morning of sept 11 2001 and now fifteen years later I’m a fellow firefighter and proud to represent my brothers that gave all that day God bless them
– TylerOur son Creed walked for Mr. Ronnie Geis today We are touched by his families story. We have 3 boys also and they are known as “the boys” and their Grandfather is the Fire Chief in Kingsport, TN. Creed was honored to climb for this hero. We thank this family for their service.
– Creed MusickThis is the first time I’ve seen this site, and I am very impressed with everything I’ve read from people who didn’t know him. Ronnie was my uncle, his wife, my father’s younger sister, is my aunt, and the boys are my first cousins. The summer of ’01 I was taken with them on a trip to a firefighters convention in Baltimore. I was 11 years old and it was a great trip. Plenty of laughs I remember, and all around comfort. I believe it was the last time I spent with my uncle, it was so perfect, it was meant to be. I was so young at the time of 9/11 but I still remember where I was, Ms. Richards 2nd period class in 6th grade. I wasn’t even truly familiar with the twin towers at the time, truth be told I can still remember the image I had in my head when the announcement came over the loudspeaker in school. I pictured two planes colliding above a building that looked the Big Ben in England and fell on to the building. I always knew my uncle was a firefighter, but not to the extent of being in the city, so when I heard my first worry was for my father who was commuting at the time. It wasn’t until I got home I became aware of the situation and we went out to my aunt’s house to support the family, and the rest is history. Since then I’ve felt that my uncle has been one of my guardian angels with signs even to this week of the 16 year anniversary to lead me to believe it. I am very grateful for everyone’s comments and the time I went to Baltimore with my uncle, it was meant to be.
– blaise feliceIt was my honor to climb 110 stories carrying Lt. Ronnie Geis photo with me today at the Philadelphia 9/11 stair climb for the national fallen firefighters foundation. As a Philadelphia fireman, I was humbled by the arduous climb firemen like Ronnie made that fateful day, wearing not just their bunker gear and SCBA as I was, but carrying tools as well. God bless the Geis family and all FDNY survivors.
– David WeinmanI have run the 2016 and now the 2017 Orlando Tunnel to Towers 5K in honour of Lieutenant Ronnie Geis. Ronnie’s family needs to know that he is will never be forgotten. Thank you for your service.
– Tom NettWe have a PE assignment in school and the project is we each got a name of one of the 343 firemen who died and i got Ronnie Gies. #NEVERFORGOTTEN
– AddieI WORKED WITH RONNIE AT DELTA AIRLINES GREAT PERSON AN GREAT FAMILY MAN GOD BLESS RONNIE GIES
– EDDIE POUNDI grew up around the block from Ronnie in central Merrick, NY. A lot of memories. We were kind of like brothers; we didn’t always get along, but he was the kind of person who would give you the shirt off his back. Shame that he’s gone. The world is missing out.
– DaveI participated in the stair climb in Panama City Beach, Fl on 9-7-19. I had the honor to climb for Lt Gies! We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice that was made on that tragic day! Rest easy brother!
– Chris KidderI was honored to be climbing the stairs for LT Ronnie Gies at the 9/11 Memorial Climb in Green Bay. As I climbed images of not just LT cross’s my mind but ALL the firefighters that made that climb. Not only did they make the climb with full gear and tools but the amount of stress that they were under. People were thanking me for my service but the real thanks goes to LT Ronnie Gies for making the ultimate sacrifice. God bless to the family as well as LT. They DEFINITELY deserve the thanks for their service as well.
– MichaelI knew Ronnie from the Merrick Volunteer Fire Department In the late 70s. I bought the flag dedicated to him from the 9/11 memorial in Las Vegas which sits on the top shelf of my office bookcase. His wife or sons are welcome to it at anytime. RIP Ronnie
– Phil GeraceWhen I was 11, on the one year anniversary, my middle school in eastern KY where each of us was given a flag to place at the courthouse downtown. Each flag had a name, and mine was his. I never knew anything about him until now. I always wondered who he was, and it’s great to know. May he never be forgotten.
– EthanSturgeon Bay FD Wisconsin had a 911 stair climb this a. m. I was honored to carry Lt Ronnie Gies remembrance tag and complete the event. I have 39 years on the career fire line. RIP L T. We will never forget.
– Randall Lynch