In Memory of Rocco Gargano

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i want to express my feelings to a relative I never met.
i represent my father vito pizziferri. as his son and a true believer of family and respect. I would like to say your soul is in heaven and your memories live through our legacy as a total family. may god bless you and the people who knew and loved you.

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2011-09-11 ***

Dear Nino,
Rest in peace and watch over your family, they love and miss you. XOXO

*** Posted by Maria Rosaria on 2011-09-11 ***

Rocco - You were truly a gem. Your hearts brightness shined through to all who knew you. An expecptional man... you are truly missed and will never be forgotten <3

*** Posted by Kim on 2011-09-10 ***

I MISS YOU BROTHER.I only knew you for a brief time...but I am so glad that I had the chance to know you.
I remember you as a funny, kind and bright individual.
I only wish that I could see you again and pray for your bright soul and your family. One of the last conversations I had with you I remember you saying to me "life is too short" the irony is heartbreaking.

*** Posted by JAY ACC GAMBINO on 2011-05-21 ***

We miss you and remember you always, especially on 9/11. You were a special person, and the world suffered a loss the day you perished. I hope you rest in peace, along with all of those who lost their lives on that terrible day. As time goes by, we heal from our personal losses and our vivid memories of September 11, but we will never forget you, and we will eternally miss you.

All our love,
Phil, Sylvia, Anthony, Joey, Victoria

*** Posted by Phil and Sylvia Valenti on 2009-09-20 ***

Thinking of you on this eighth year that tragedy of the Trade Center took you away from us.

*** Posted by Anna Rios on 2009-09-11 ***

I was Rocco's teacher at the Columbia School of General Studies fifteen years ago. Here is a letter of recommendation that I wrote for him. I hope it gives some sense of the wonderful person he was.

John Matteson
Pulitzer Prize in Biography, 2008
Letter of Recommendation for
R. Nino Gargano

As Nino's instructor of College Composition at Columbia University, I consider it a privilege to recommend him for admission to the University of ****. I have never had a student whom I hold in higher personal esteem, both for his character and for his incessant curiosity and desire to learn. At Columbia, I have often observed a high level of apathy and cynicism among even the most talented students. They lack openness, and they evince no sense of direction. They have forgotten or have never known what a joy it can be to inquire and explore. Nino Gargano shares none of this blandness. Whereas most of the students in his class dashed out the door at the end of class, Nino almost always stayed behind, eager to spend another fifteen minutes or more to delve ever deeper into the ideas and issues we had discussed. More than any other student I have had here, he has an earnest and evident desire to push out against his boundaries, to discover new worlds. He has a true passion for knowledge, and he knows the power of this passion to strengthen and ennoble those who possess it. In his conversations with me, Nino has talked of either pursuing a career in medicine or indulging his more personal ambition of becoming a professional restorer of paintings. His enthusiasm and dedication make me confident that he would achieve success in either field.

Although he is always respectful of other people's opinions and receives new ideas with an open mind, Nino has very strong beliefs in self-reliance and individual responsibility—beliefs formed and solidified when, a few years ago, his father became gravely ill, and Nino was forced to take control of his family's business. The experience of assuming his father's place at the older man's restaurant has given Nino a maturity and a capacity for hard work that is quite rare in someone his age. Above all, his experiences have given him a sense of decency and honor.

A glance at his Columbia transcript will show that, in my course, Nino earned "only" a B, a mark which might seem to contrast with the praise I am heaping on him now. This apparent dissonance is readily explained. To begin with, the composition course here is notoriously rigorous, and a B is considered a highly respectable mark. Moreover, Nino speaks English as a second language, and this fact accounted for most of the minor weaknesses in his written prose. These weaknesses he worked tirelessly to remedy, often seeking optional instruction beyond the scope of my class. By semester's end, he had vastly improved. Finally and ironically, Nino's grade may have suffered because he worked too hard. Instead of writing safe, undistinguished essays like some of his classmates, Nino was constantly experimenting with tone, metaphor, and assonance. In every paper, he tried to break new ground. Although these experiments were occasionally unsuccessful, they were always impressive in their spirit of inventiveness and ambition. More interested in improving his skills than in getting a good grade, Nino exemplified a rare and laudable academic spirit.

Nino Gargano is an exceptional young man of strong convictions and truly exemplary character. No applicant could be more deserving of admission—and few students would give greater credit—to the University of ****.

*** Posted by John Matteson on 2009-09-11 ***

Always in our hearts and thoughts.

*** Posted by meri pontell on 2009-09-10 ***

I will always think of Rocco on this sad day every year. I'm sorry I didn't know him. I knew of him from his cousin Anna. My thoughts and prayers are with you, Rocco, and all of your family always. Rest in peace.

*** Posted by Gina Falco on 2009-09-10 ***

In faithful remembrance of my cousin, Nino. Each and every year as we approach this anniversary, you are in my heart, dear cousin. You are not forgotten.

*** Posted by Michael Scalcione on 2009-09-10 ***

At the request of Anna Rios, I am taking the time to say a public "thank you" and to express my care and concern to Rocco's family. Blessings to you.

*** Posted by Heather Mitchell on 2009-09-10 ***

Thinking of you and those you left behind. God bless.

*** Posted by Karen Spencer (Market Force) on 2009-09-10 ***

Thinking of you on this, the 7th anniversary of when you were taken from us.

*** Posted by Anna Rios on 2008-09-11 ***

Nino
There are times in our lives when the world seems to shift.
We value, in one clear instant, the blessing of days we once thought of as ordinary- and we suddenly know that what most truly enriches us is the love we shared.
I love you Cathy.
Nino I awake at night and forget you’re gone. Fresh from a dream of you. I imagine that your voice, your touch, is near.
I find myself talking to you throughout the day – imagining conversations we might be having. Sharing laughter over dinner, sharing whispers, kisses and hugs.
I walk into a room and hope you will magically be there,- there to take me in your arms and ease this emptiness I feel without you.
I miss you more than words can express.

But more than that ALWAYS………I LOVE YOU…….Cathy
Miss You Dear Brother, No matter what the distance, regardless of the miles Our hearts are linked together, by our memories and smiles and all the moments we shared from day to day that neither time nor distance can ever take away.
We’ve shared so much throughout the years, but of the treasures we shared, the greatest is our friendship. I feel so lucky to be able to call you my brother.

I Love You
E Questo E’ La Nostra Canzone, Dedicato A Te Amore Mio Nino
Quello Che Non Ti Ho Detto Mai……………..

Non ti ho detto mai veramente quello che tu sei per me
E’ difficile spiegare quello  che
Ti riempe gli occhi e il cuore
E da’ senso alla tua vita

Nessun uomo, sai
E nessuna donna puo’ dividerci
E’ una palla di cemento oramai
Questo nostro sentimente
Che stringiamo tra le dita.

Questi giorni sai
Belli o brutti sono sempre belli e noi
Siamo pieni di incertezze ma ci sei
Con le tue carezze, tu....
A volte in mezzo al mare anche noi
Rischiamo di affogare dentro ai guai
Ci sappiamo consolare, come sai
Rimanendo li distesi
Ad occhi chiusi
Ad una nuvola appesi

Io non so se poi
Il  destino avra’ un suo ruolo su di noi
Tale da riuscire a separarci o no
Ma io prego sin da adesso
Che il futuro sia lo stesso

Ma se un bivio un di
Ci aspettasse per dividerci cosi
Che restiamo da soli
Tu gia sai che vivrei per aspettarti
Io ti proteggerei lo sai
Con il vento piano ti accarezzerei
Con il primo raggio io ti sveglierei
Ed io spero di saperti
Li con qualcuno, che posso amarti.


Nino , being apart from you
Is even harder than I
Thought it would be..
I try to be logical 
And tell myself that it
Won’t be forever, but that’s
Not much comfort
When I really need
To touch you and hold you
And love you
I close my eyes
And hold a picture of you
In my mind and imagine
All the things I’d say
If I had you here.
But no matter how beautiful
The picture is, it will never
Compare to the real thing,
To looking in  your eyes
And whispering your name
I miss you so much
And I can’t wait
For the day
When I can stop
Holding on
To a daydream
And start holding you
In my arms again.

Every day,
The minute I wake up, I miss you
Every song I hear seems to be you
And I miss you
Every time my phone rings
And I hear some else’s voice,
I miss you
Every person I see
Makes me miss you more
And every night
While I lie there
Thinking of you
I can’t imagine anyone has ever missed someone
The way I miss you.

Whoever said
A brother is more than a friend……..was right
Sure , friends are fun to be with
And share many different thoughts
But even best friends
Don’t really know each other the way
Me and you did
With you, it’s no use pretending
To be happier than I am or as you used to say to me..
Cat ….why are you so nonchalant?
When something happens
There is no hiding it from you
You know where I come from,
What all my hidden feelings are’
And why.
You know the real me,
Through and through
And though that means
We know how to push each others buttons
Better than anybody
It also means we both know
We can go to each other
Where we will always be accepted
And understood without trying to change
One another.
I can’t imagine my dearest brother life without you
Not being able to come to you
And having a place I truly belong……


True Felt Love

I love you, it's was often said not
.
A true felt love that  cannot be heard,
my love for you does not live in spoken word.
A true felt love that  cannot be bought,

A true felt love is in a look,
it can't be taught from written book.
A true felt love comes from the heart,
it's always there in all or part.
A true felt love is in a touch,
a simple hug can mean so much.
A true felt love can withstand time,
A true felt love is yours and mine.

My dearest Brother Nino, forgive me for not being present on this day, Since the terrible tragedy I cannot bring myself to view  this sacret ground which once brought so much joy and now brings so much pain. My calander has stopped on sept.11 2001, evey living day for me is sept.11 the day that took my every essence away that essence my dear love is you, my Nino. I am no one with out you and I cannot go on my living days with the thought of never seing you again.  You are still missing. So many unanswered questions. I will search for you tll the end of my time . I can’t imagine anyone has ever missed someone
The way I miss you.

*** Posted by your sister cathy on 2006-03-17 ***

ti penso sempre e prego pe te.
Eri una persona fantastica.
La pace sia in te.

*** Posted by Alessio urgese on 2006-02-22 ***

To All Who Read This: Rocco Nino Gargano was my cousin. He was an extremely intelligent, caring and geniune soul. I was, unfortunately, not very close to him or his family but always had a wonderful feeling when talking to him. He was soft-spoken, gentle, handsome and had an intellect and charm that only few people his age could attain. He had many attributes that were coveted by many and in the face of adversity he remained ever true to character. I have thought about him many times over the years and I know that God now holds him safely in Heaven along side his father and my mother (his aunt). He was someone that the world could have truly embraced and loved. I'm sorry you are not here with us and we pray for your soul but I know you are now at peace!!!

*** Posted by Anna Rios on 2006-01-29 ***

I only knew you for a brief time...but I am so glad that I had the chance to know you.
I remember you as a funny, kind and bright individual.
I only wish that I could see you again and pray for your bright soul and your family. One of the last conversations I had with you I remember you saying to me "life is too short" the irony is heartbreaking...you and your family are kept in my prayers, always.

*** Posted by Anonymous on 2004-05-20 ***

My dear brother, I miss you so much. Our hearts are linked together by memories that neither time nor distance can ever take away. We've shared so much throughout the years, but of the treasures we've shared the greatest is our love, closeness and friendship. I am honored to call you my brother. I love you. My life has no meaning without my dear Nino. I close my eyes and hold a picture of you, every night I place and sleep with your picture upon my heart. My dear brother I love you and miss you so much.

*** Posted by cathy d'alessandro on 2004-04-22 ***

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