As the youngest of six sons of a police officer, Tom grew up in South Ozone Park, where he attended St. Anthony of Padua grammar school. Upon graduating from Monsignor McClancy – Class of ’82 – Tom went to John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He followed his five brothers’ footsteps and prepared for the civil service ranks.
Tom worked for two years with the New York City Police Department prior to joining the FDNY. When he first came out of the academy, he was assigned to Engine Company 266 in Rockaway Beach. Later, he applied for a spot at Engine Company 302 in South Ozone Park.
With his natural abilities, high degree of professionalism and dedication, along with his passion for firefighting, Tom quickly began to rise up the ranks within the FDNY. Engine 1 in New York City benefited from Tom’s leadership when he was appointed a Lieutenant.
Tom’s experience and intelligence provided a solid foundation for his next promotion. As the youngest named Captain of Engine 26, with his warm smile and hearty laugh, he quickly earned the respect of all his men.
But Tom’s destiny would eventually put him at work in the city’s midtown area on September 11, 2001, where he was called to respond with his unit to the World Trade Center. While doing everything in his power to save lives, Tom sacrificed his own life, perishing with 342 other firefighter / brothers. At the young age of 37, he was posthumously promoted to Battalion Chief.
As passionate as Tom was for firefighting, he was even more passionate about his family. He was an extremely loving husband to his teenage sweetheart and wife of sixteen years, Mary. With unlimited kindness and a very special brand of caring, Tom was a very devoted father to his children, Jane, 11 and Jimmy, 7. Tom Farino did not become a hero on September 11, to his two young children, he was their hero everyday of his life.