John J. Florio (1967 – 2001) was killed during fire and rescue operations at the World Trade Center following the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001. Florio grew up in Middle Village, Queens and graduated from St. Francis Preparatory High School in Fresh Meadows in 1985. He attended Nassau Community College before joining the FDNY and worked at a fire company in Queens before he was transferred permanently to Engine 214, Ladder 111 in Brooklyn. An athletic person‚ Florio pumped iron and he played halfback on the FDNY football team. The father of two coached his son’s Little League team and his football team in Oceanside where he had moved with his wife. Florio was huge fan of the band Metallica‚ Florio corresponded with the group’s lead singer‚ James Hetfield, and an emotional letter from the rocker was read at Florio’s funeral.