When the towers fell on September 11, 2001, the Siller family of Staten Island faced a loss that would forever change their lives. In an interview with Fox News, Tunnel to Towers Chairman and CEO Frank Siller described the moment he learned his younger brother, Stephen Gerard Siller, a FDNY firefighter, would never return home.

A Father’s Call and a Brother’s Grief

Frank recalled sitting in his living room, the television broadcasting the tragedy, when a neighbor firefighter, Richie Obermeyer, called to deliver the heartbreaking news. “No one is coming home, Frank,” Richie whispered. The words confirmed the worst fear Frank already held: Stephen had perished in the attacks.

Frank’s wife, Pat, and their children gathered around as the family processed the loss. Their mother, Mae, and father, George, devout Catholics and members of the Secular Franciscan Order, led the family in prayer, grounding their sorrow in the teachings of Saint Francis of Assisi, who urged believers to “do good while we have time.”

Turning Tragedy into Service

In the days that followed, the Sillers visited Stephen’s widow, Sally, and his five children—Katherine, Olivia, Genevieve, Jake, and baby Stephen—offering support and love. The family’s grief became the catalyst for a larger mission: the creation of the Tunnel to Towers (T2T) Foundation. The nonprofit seeks to honor the sacrifice of first‑responders and assist their families, embodying Stephen’s legacy of self‑less service.

Frank explained that the foundation’s work reflects the family’s Catholic values and the belief that every American should have the opportunity to “do good” for their neighbors. Since its inception, T2T has organized fundraising events, provided emergency financial assistance, and partnered with other veteran and first‑responder charities across the nation.

Faith, Family, and Freedom

The Siller story underscores three pillars that resonate with many readers: a deep Christian faith, the centrality of the traditional family, and the importance of individual liberty to serve one’s community. By sharing their experience, Frank hopes other families will find strength in their own trials and consider how they might contribute to the common good.

As the 25th anniversary of 9/11 approaches, the Sillers continue to honor Stephen’s memory through public speaking, the publication of Frank’s book Let Us Do Good, and ongoing outreach through T2T. Their message is clear: even in the darkest moments, faith and family can guide a nation toward compassion and service.

Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.