Kenny Marino, a volunteer firefighter with the Long Beach Fire Department and a member of the New York City Fire Department’s Rescue 1 unit, died on September 11, 2001, while responding to the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center. Marino, 40, was one of 11 firefighters from Rescue 1 who perished that day. Colleagues remember him as a dedicated and skilled firefighter who also had a deep passion for baseball, particularly as a fan of Ken Griffey Jr.
Marino’s wife, Katrina, and their two young children, Kristin and Tyler, have found a unique source of comfort in their connection with Griffey Jr., the seven-time All-Star outfielder whom Kenny admired. Shortly after the attacks, amid the uncertainty and grief, Katrina sent an email to the Cincinnati Reds asking if Griffey could honor her missing husband by hitting an "extra home run." Griffey responded by hitting his 21st home run of the 2001 season during a game in Philadelphia roughly two to three hours after receiving the message. This gesture sparked a close relationship between Griffey and the Marino family that has endured for more than two decades.
Over the years, Griffey extended numerous invitations to the Marinos, including visits to Major League Baseball games and the 2016 Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Cooperstown, where he honored the family by presenting memorabilia linked to that memorable home run. Griffey’s kindness has played a significant role in the family’s healing process, helping them create positive memories alongside their sorrow. Katrina has emphasized the importance of remembering 9/11 as a collective history while focusing on healing through these moments.
Katrina, who served as a cryptologic technician in the Navy, recounted the early hours of September 11 when she and her children visited the Rescue 1 firehouse, where Kenny was preparing for his shift. Just before the first plane struck the North Tower, she shared a final farewell with her husband. Afterwards, as alarm sirens went off and emergency vehicles rushed toward the disaster, she pointed to the fire trucks and told her children, “That’s daddy.”
Despite extensive efforts, Kenny Marino’s remains were never recovered, and he was officially declared deceased based on the circumstances and evidence collected at the site. His helmet and Halligan bar, tools essential to his work, were among the few items returned to the family.
The Marino children have grown up with Griffey as a supportive figure. In one coincidental encounter years after Griffey’s retirement, Kristin felt a strong personal connection, interpreting Griffey’s greeting as a sign from her late father. The family plans to participate in the 2023 9/11 commemorations in lower Manhattan, with Kristin reading the names of the fallen—a poignant milestone marking over two decades since the tragedy. Throughout their journey, the Marinos have held onto photographs and memories of Griffey’s visits, which represent moments of grace and healing amid their enduring loss.