Brave Ground Zero volunteer dies after battling long-term health problems

Toms River, New Jersey resident and Ground Zero volunteer Joe Picurro died on Friday of 9/11-related illness. He was diagnosed with the disorder during 2004, and had struggled with his health ever since. Picurro volunteered to cut steel at The Pile in the wake of the attacks, seeking to assist in saving human life.

According to his wife, Laura, her brave husband fought for his life until the day he died. With the Picurro family finances ravaged because of Joe's inability to work as he had before his service at the scene of the attack, the 9/11 rescuer fought for, and finally received, workers' compensation in 2006.

The New York Theological Seminary community offers its prayers for Joe Picurro and his family during this time of loss.

The New York Theological Seminary is an institution dedicated to diversity, multiculturalism, social justice and religious tolerance. The mission of the seminary is to prepare men and women, from every background, for careers in ministry.