Thousands Attend the Funeral Service for U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and FDNY Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso

March 31, 2018

On Saturday, March 31, 2018, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Fire Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro, FDNY members, U.S. Air National Guard members, family and friends attended the funeral service for U.S. Air Force Master Sergeant and FDNY Lieutenant Christopher J. Raguso at St. Joseph’s Church in Kings Park, Long Island.

“In my estimation, there is no one word that more aptly describes the extraordinary man we gather to honor and remember today,” said Fire Commissioner Nigro. “Lieutenant Christopher Raguso was a hero in every sense of the word, and in every way he lived his life.”

Lieutenant Raguso was appointed as a Firefighter in March of 2005 and assigned to Ladder Company 113 in Flatbush, Brooklyn. In September, 2016, he was promoted to Lieutenant and assigned to Battalion 50 in Queens. On six different occasions he was cited for bravery and life-saving actions as an individual Firefighter or as part of a unit.

“I was very inspired by my brother-in-law, since the day I met him, all I wanted to do was be like him, If I can be half the man he was, I’ll be happy with that,” said Lieutenant Raguso’s brother-in-law, FDNY EMT Anthony Dichiara Jr.

Lieutenant Raguso was on military leave from the Department, serving his country in his sixth deployment. Lieutenant Raguso died alongside FDNY Fire Marshal Christopher Zanetis and five other military service members, while supporting Operation Inherent Resolve. Lieutenant Raguso and Fire Marshal Zanetis were assigned to the 106th Rescue Wing at the Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base in New York. Lieutenant Raguso is 1,148th member of the Department to make the Supreme Sacrifice in the line-of-duty.

Lieutenant Raguso of Commack, New York, is survived by his wife, Carmella, and their two daughters; Eva and Mila.

The FDNY Foundation joins the FDNY in mourning the line of duty deaths of Lt Christopher Raguso. Donations to benefit the children of Lieutenant Raguso can be made by visiting www.fdnyfoundation.org/donate/ and selecting “Scholarship Fund to Benefit the Children of FDNY Lieutenant Christopher Raguso” from the drop-down menu.

For photos of the funeral service, click here.

For the recorded livestream, click here.