Thomas was a loving son‚ brother‚ uncle and friend.
He was intelligent and very athletic. He loved all sports and excelled in baseball and basketball.
Tommy spent three years with the NYPD (52nd Precinct) before transferring to the FDNY. Tommy was set to follow in his father’s footsteps and rise through the ranks in the FDNY. Tommy’s father has spent 34 years with the FDNY and now holds rank of Battalion Chief. Though Tommy’s Dad was a Battalion Chief‚ he never used that to get preferential treatment. He‚ through his aggressive actions‚ let his fellow firefighters know he was there to work and pay his dues. On Tommy’s graduation day from the fire academy‚ his father gave him this piece of advice‚ ‘You get the uniform for free‚ but it comes with a history‚ so do the right thing when you’re in it.’
Tommy took this advice to heart. Whether in or out of uniform‚ you could always count on Tommy to do the right thing. Tommy lived as heroically and nobly as he died. Tommy is a true American hero.
I had the absolute honor and privilege to climb in the Step Up for Heros today in Sioux Falls, SD for the memory of Firefighter Schoales. I am humbled to carry his name. May God bless his family and friends.
– Eric PulseI participated in the 9/11 memorial stair climb in Indianapolis, In at FDIC on April 23,
– Ben Thompson2016, and I was honored and humbled to carry Firefighter Schoales photo. My heart and prayers go out to his family. Firefighter Schoales is NEVER FORGOTTEN for his heroic acts!!!
To Ben Thompson—That’s very nice to say. I went to high school with Tom Schoales (I was 3 years older), but we worked at a department store before he got his career going. If you ever read this; believe me; you carried the photo of a damn good young man at the time. I knew him better when we were out of high school and loved the guy. He loved to joke around and make people HAPPY. He was good-hearted. Ben Thompson: You got the right guy! Believe me. God bless Tom Schoales, the the other victims, and god bless America as we approach Independence Day.
– Joseph CatalanoI missed Eric Pulse—you got the right guy, buddy. Tom Schoales had a heart of gold, was great at being the best (physically) where being competitive in a friendly manner was concerned. He was such a good person and I don’t say anything that I don’t mean. Both of you guys received “the privilege” to carry that photo and good luck to you both!
– Joseph CatalanoIt was my honor to climb 110 stories representing Thomas Gerard Schoales at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI on Saturday. I read about him before the climb and realized he would be 42 years old and a great Dad and would have clearly moved up the ranks with his professionalism. I’ve never participated in an event like this and as a 48 year old mother of 3 was nervous to accomplish all the steps. My mind was on Thomas as his badge was clipped to my rain poncho and we did it together! Thank you to his family and friends who still hurt every day in his absence. He is thought about more than you know and now his badge is on my desk where I will think about him often. God Bless!
– Debra NewellIt was a great privilege to participate in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI on Sept. 10, 2016. I was very honored to climb in remembrance of Firefighter Schoales. My Dad (who is no longer with us) was also a firefighter, for 30 years, retired as Asst. Chief of Two Rivers Fire Dept. due to health issues. After reading your comments about Tom, Joseph, I feel my Dad and Tom would have gotten along great! The Schoales family will forever be included in my prayers. Most definitely Never Forgotten! God bless!
– Jennifer PayetteToday I climbed at the home of our Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field. I had the honor of climbing in Thomas’ memory. It saddens me to learn that he does at the age of 27. Much much too young! Thank you Thomas for serving and putting your life above all else to save so many people. I am so sorry for your families loss. And loss of many other firefighters and everyday citizens that lost their lives that day. I will never forget that day.
– Tara YounkToday I walked the 9/11 Memorial stairclimb in Lambeau Field, Green Bay for Thomas. It was an honor and I hope I did him proud. I am not a firefighter, but my sister is and she is an inspiration to me. I pray Thomas watches over her. My heart aches for your loss that day. I am in awe at what those men and women did that day for their fellow man. Heroic.
– Jamie CharneskiToday, 9-22-18, I walked the 9/11 Memorial stairclimb in Lambeau Field, Green Bay for Thomas. It was an honor and I hope I did him proud. I am not a firefighter, but my sister is and she is an inspiration to me. I pray Thomas watches over her. My heart aches for your loss that day. I am in awe at what those men and women did that day for their fellow man. Heroic. God bless.
– Jamie CharneskiToday (09/22/18) I climbed in the 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, WI. It was an amazing experience and an honor to climb in rememberance of the 343 fallen Firefighters and a honor to wear the badge of Thomas Schoales. His badge will forever hang from my mirror in my van, him and the other men and women that passed that day; and their loved ones, will always be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.
– Jill HornSo honored to climb the 9/11 stair climb in Greenbay for Thomas Schoales we will never forget!!
– Sherry CollicottOn 9-7-19 I climbed 110 flights of stairs in okc for our fallen firefighters of 9/11. I carried Mr. Schoales tag around my neck along with his picture. It was a random name that they picked but after reading his story about being on the police department first then going on with FDNY is a very similar story with me as I did the same thing. This is my first time ever doing something like this and I don’t think I could’ve gotten a better man to honor.
– christopher lareauI received an memorial copper wrist band with Thomas’s name and Engine 4 on it. I’ve had it for almost 20 years. I was a Lt. in a paid department on the Jersey side of the Hudson River. I’ve always kept it next to a picture of our Lord, Jesus Christ, knowing he could take care of Thomas better than I.
– Tim SteinelI’ve been through some rough times in the recent past, when I saw and started to wear it, I forget my troubles and pray for Thomas. Never forgotten. RIP brother.
My first stair climb in 2019 I was given the honor to walk in remembrance of Mr. Thomas Gerard Schoales. Although I was only in 5th grade at the time when 9/11 happened I remember it like it was yesterday. As a firefighter now myself, I can’t imagine what FF Schoales and the rest of New York went through that day. Our paths never crossed but just know you are not forgotten and your memory will always live on… FF Shupla
– Alan ShuplaI was honored to climb today for Firefighter Schoales in the Baltimore MD 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. I am deeply sorry for your unimaginable loss and will carry his memory with me from this day forward. Every time I climb in the future, I do it for him.
– Gillian SpencerOnce again, I was honored to climb yesterday, September 10, 2022 for Firefighter Schoales in the Baltimore MD 9-11 Memorial Stair Climb. I have thought of him and his family often during the past year and will continue to do so. His memory lives on.
– Gillian E SpencerI purchased a copper bracelet from Macy’s right after the 9/11 attacks. Each bracelet had the name of one of the heroes that died that day. My bracelet had the name Thomas Schoales. He was on Engine 4 and died in the World Trade Center that day. I signed a memorial on Legacy.com and some of his family contacted me. I was so touched. His brother named a new baby after Thomas!.
– Cynthia HodgeThey all must never be forgotten. RIP Thomas Schoales, you truly are a hero.
I was honored to wear a badge for Fallen Fire Fighter Thomas Gerard Schoales at the 2023 Red Rocks Stair Climb in golden Colorado. Never forget.
– Terry Crum