………………….I could not let this day end without speaking of my nephew John……..On this day, 24 years ago, my nephew died due to a tragic accident on the Throgs Neck Bridge, in NY. I remember that day like it was yesterday. It was a bitter cold and very windy January day…..My nephew just left his father, my brother Mauro, at their place of business, and was on his way home. My brother left first in separate vehicles….As John was at the pinnacle of the bridge….the truck in front of him lost its’ metal corrugated roof which landed in the path of John’s truck. The way it landed it was blocking the cars behind. The truck driver never knew its’ roof had blown off at that moment….John and two other men got out of their vehicles, and decided they would move this huge piece of metal so that they could drive over it. I won’t go into the details, but a gust of wind came up and the metal piece they were holding blew up and cut my nephew’s neck. He died instantly………That day I had brought my car to the dealership in Manhattan for a tune up. On my way back to the office I heard on the radio about this horrific accident that took place on the bridge….NEVER thinking my nephew was involved……When I got back to the office, after a short while, I was called to the phone, and was told my cousin John was calling me. I thought this was strange, because John never called me, and certainly not at work……He told me to sit down….Then he told me John had died. I immediately thought he was speaking of my older brother….He quickly explained…..no it wasn’t my brother….it was my nephew…..I don’t remember much after that, but I do remember picking Jac up and driving to my brother’s house in a taxi……….John was only in his early twenties……He was a beautiful young man both inside and out. He was very accomplished and played a mean guitar…..He was also a volunteer fireman….At his funeral fireman from all over Long Island came in their dress uniforms…….I think of John often, and wonder what he would be like today….I am sure he would have married and had a few beautiful children……….Every time I drive over that bridge I say hello to him, and say a prayer……I know in my heart he can hear me.