FDNY FIREFIGHTER, MICHAEL J. CIOFFI

4/3/62 – 3/23/24

 It is with a heavy heart that we share the sad news that FDNY Firefighter Michael Cioffi, was called home to our Lord on Saturday, March 23^rd, after bravely battling several illnesses attributed to his heroic service on September 11, 2001.

Michael was born and raised in Long Branch, NJ, to Henry “Skip” Cioffi, and Jean DeStefano-Cioffi. Later in Michael’s life, his father Skip, would become Long Branch’s much beloved mayor.

Michael’s funny and mischievous personality would attract friendships, as young as elementary school, that would last a lifetime. Among these lifelong friends, are Anthony Chiafullo, Daniel Patella, JJ Vaissalle and Alfred “Butch” Guzzi, all of whom, he considered brothers, more than friends.

Throughout Michael’s life, it was clear that he was hyper focused on a career as a professional firefighter. One of Michael’s most precious memories was being sworn in, by his father, Mayor Cioffi, to the much-revered Oceanic Engine & Truck Company of the Long Branch Fire Department. Mike would go on to serve with this Uniformed Fire Division, as a career firefighter, for 14 years, from 1980-1994, before landing his dream job with the FDNY in 1995.

Michael never lost the lifelong bonds that were created during his years with his beloved LBFD, many of whom were with Michael in his final days.

Michael served with honor and dignity for 25 years with the FDNY. He began his career with Midtown Engine Company 54, Ladder 4, Battalion 9, which would sadly become known as the “hardest hit” firehouse of the September 11^th attacks, losing an entire shift of 15 men on that horrific day. Michael remained on the “pile” for days, even weeks, attempting rescue, and ultimately, recovery.

Michael continued his service with the FDNY, spending the bulk of his career in Manhattan, with much of it at the elite team known as Rescue 1, in Midtown. Michael was highly decorated from his many years of heroic actions, saving lives and property.

In 2017, Michael was welcomed to the well known, highly respected Staten Island firehouse, Engine 165 & Ladder 85, where he would spend the last years of his career before learning of the onset of his illnesses. In his years at 165, Michael’s “fire family” expanded exponentially, meeting some of the most unparalleled heroes of his career.

In 2020, Michael received the devastating news that he could no longer be cleared for duty, due to the impact that his service at ground zero had on his lungs. Not long after being sidelined by lung capacity, he would begin to be diagnosed with several other 9/11 related conditions. The most aggressive of these illnesses was the pancreatic cancer diagnosis, that would ultimately steal his life.

Leaving the firehouse did not mean that Michael would start to take it easy. Known by all as a non-stop worker, in addition to firefighting, Michael owned a small trucking company, called Central Jersey Trucking, where he routinely worked maintaining his three dump trucks until dark. Michael would arrive home covered from head to toe in grease but loved every minute of it.

Outside of work, he was known for several things, his devotion to his wife, his children, stepchildren, and his extended family, his dedication to his friends, all of whom share Michael’s uniquely sarcastic sense of humor, his unwavering position that we could support America by buying American products, he loved being Italian, building model firetrucks, cooking and baking, and of course, if you knew Michael, you knew he loved Bruce.

While Michael was born and raised in Long Branch, he would later move to Ocean Township in the Colonial Terrace section, where he and his wife would meet the kind of close-knit community that many only think exist in books. Michael was known by neighbors as the guy who could fix anything and build anything, while looking great and making you laugh.

When Michael’s wife was hired to run the Asbury Park Chamber of Commerce, Michael also became a defacto staff member there, working on every event she produced, and ingraining himself in the hearts of his new group of friends that he considered family, within the Asbury Park business community, city hall, police and fire departments, and of course, the great guys at DPW. Michael was adored by all, and he certainly adored them right back.

Michael was predeceased by his beloved father, Mayor Henry “Skip” Cioffi, as well as the 343 firefighters lost on 9/11, as well as those who have succumbed to 9/11 related illnesses in the years since.

He is survived by his wife, Sylvia Sylvia-Cioffi (Beneito), who he called the love of his life, every single day since the day they met. Michael and Sylvia spent their time together antiquing, making wine, gardening, laughing at inside jokes, and proudly, never slept a single night without holding hands, right up until Michael’s final night.

His legacy of being an amazing person continues in this world by his children and stepchildren, Michael Luciano, Sofia, and Mariella Cioffi, Christopher, Jack, and Emma Sylvia.

He will be remembered always by his beloved mother, Jean DeStefano Cioffi, his warm and wonderful uncles, Robert and Father Ron Cioffi, his beautiful sisters Gina Cioffi-Loud, and Danielle Cioffi-Storz, their husbands  Ted Loud and John Storz, his brother, Long Branch Firefighter, Lt. Henry “Skippy” Cioffi, and his adoring wife, Valerie Simonelli-Cioffi, their two children, Henry and Marina, and his many cousins, aunts, uncles and friends.

Services for Michael will be held at Woolley-Boglio Funeral Home with visitations on March 27^th, from 2pm – 4pm and 7pm – 9pm. Mass will be held at St. Michael’s Church, Long Branch, on March 28^th at 11am, followed by burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in West Long Branch.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fired Up for a Cure, supporting cancer prevention of those impacted by 9/11, as well as our every day uniformed firefighters and their families. Visit https://www.firedupforacurefdnynyc.org/ for details.