St. Roch's grad is Lt. Chuck Margiotta Scholarship winner

St. Roch's grad is Lt. Chuck Margiotta Scholarship winner

 St. Roch's grad is Lt. Chuck Margiotta Scholarship winner
Friday, August 07, 2009

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. -- Congrats go to John Curley, a student from St. Roch's School, Port Richmond, who's been named the recipient of the first Chuck Margiotta Scholarship. Scholarships are being directed to an incoming high school freshman scheduled to attend Monsignor Farrell High School, Oakwood.

Margiotta was an FDNY lieutenant who lost his life at Ground Zero. He was on his way home after working a 24-hour tour for another firefighter and heard the reports of a plane crashing into the Twin Towers. He got off the Staten Island Expressway at the next exit, and climbed aboard a truck with firefighters from Rescue Co. 5.

The fundraising event for the scholarship, attended by nearly 250 motorcycle riders, was appropriately named the Lt. Chuck Margiotta Brains, Brawn & Bravery Motorcycle Run for the hero who was not only a Brown University grad, but was impressive in size and strength, as well as for his ultimate sacrifice.

John, whose interests include football and basketball, will play football for Farrell. He also likes music and is a self-taught guitar enthusiast.

The event, as well as donations made to the Chuck Margiotta Scholarship Fund, raised $16, 000, and means $4,000 per year toward John's tuition. Margiotta, his brother, Michael, and his son, Michael, all played Farrell football.

"It is my hope to continue to give one scholarship in my brother's name every year. The motorcycle event was a tremendous success and will be an annual event," adds Michael.

Those wishing to donate to the cause may do so at www.chuckMargiottaScholarshipFund.com.

 Carol Benanti / Staten Island Advance