"He worked hard and he loved his work, he loved the medical field. Each summer he would pack and go off to camp where he volunteered. That was fun for Tony; he was giving something back. He was giving to children and he liked that," stated a friend.<br />
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Anthony N. Pirraglia Jr., 47, of North Charleston, South Carolina, was gunned down on January 19, 2002 while attempting to help at the scene of an accident. He was walking with another medical employee when the call of an accident came across; both workers rushed to the sight. When Tony asked the victim if he was all right, the man pulled a gun and shot Pirraglia at close range in the chest, then shot and wounded the medical co-worker. A valid effort was made to save Tony, but his injury was too massive.<br />
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Tony was employed with the Medical University of South Carolina as the liver- transplant coordinator. Before that, he had worked 1? years for Meducare, a division of the same Medical Center. In previous years Tony worked for Allegheny General Hospital, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He worked there for 20 years with trauma and Life Flight. He had worked part-time for the Weirton Medical Center, in Weirton, West Virginia. He taught Emergency Medical Service related classes in the states of Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and South Carolina.<br />
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Tony volunteered his nursing skills for almost 20 years at Falcon Camp, Carrollton, Ohio, which was a camp for children. "No matter what was going on, he always made time for the children; that camp had become part of Tony's trademark. What better way to be known than for helping small fry?" stated a friend.<br />
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Honored 2003 |