To the Editor
October 14, 2015 will be a day my family will never forget. It was a traumatizing day because my family suffered the unforeseen and incomprehensible loss of my youngest sister, Nicole Giorgio. She was only 27 and she the light of many people’s lives. My family is still healing all these months later; but now that the shock has worn off and reality has set in, I would like to thank all the people who came to my family’s aid on that tragic and terrifying day.
First, the Bayonne Police Department handled the situation with the utmost grace. I am a teacher in Lincoln Community School and Det. Darren Burke personally came to gently explain that my sister had passed away in her home and he would escort me to my mother’s apartment, as I was the closest available relative. When I arrived back to mother’s apartment, I encountered three more police officers (I’m sorry, I do not remember everyone’s name) calmly speaking to my hysterical mother with the kindest words. The most amazing part of this entire ordeal was that while all of this immediate drama was unfolding, my three small children were in the house. The police answered all of their questions in an age appropriate manner by reassuring them that they are, “just here to help” and discreetly omitting any gruesome details. Also, in a welcoming fashion, the police officers happily permitted my children to inspect their uniforms more closely. When the medical examiner arrived, the police officers kept a diligent professional watch, not only on the body, but on the emotional stability and well-being of the entire household. My family and I thank you.
Secondly, I would like to thank the Bayonne Board of Education, the Weehawken Board of Education, Shop-Rite, Executive Cellular Phones, the USCG and the NJ State Police Department for allowing my family and I as much time as we needed to grieve and not be consumed with work worries. These establishments were immediately accommodating. The Bayonne Board of Ed released me from work with no questions asked; the USCG allowed my husband to return home from a mission he was on. In a world where money rules all, it was refreshing to see the support we all received from our places of employment; not to mention the outpouring of gifts that came from co-workers, friends, neighbors and relatives. My family and I thank you.
Lastly, I would like to extend a special thank you to the Fort Lee PD Motorcycle Brigade, the NJ State Troopers and the Hudson County Sheriff’s Department. These three organizations executed a funeral procession police escort unlike any I had ever seen before. The escort began at Migliaccio funeral home in Bayonne and extended to Morganville. To know that my sister, who was always the star of the show, was front and center for one last time, gave us all a reason to smile on the most depressing day of our lives. My family and I thank you.
Nicole was an exceptionally kind and empathetic person. She always intuitively knew when someone needed a hug, a smile, or an encouraging word. Her presence on this earth will never be replaced but it is comforting to realize that there are individuals left on this Earth who are truly angels in mortal form and can utilize their own kind and empathetic traits in times of need. My family and I thank you.
LISA POWELL AND FAMILY, RALPH AND ROSALIE GIORGIO, MATTHEW GIORGIO, MICHELLE McCORMICK AND FAMILY