• Robert J. Pape, Jr.Neighbor

  • Port Washington, NY

Robert J. Pape, Jr. has resided in Port Washington, NY for the last 30 years. After a successful 25 year career as a practicing attorney, Pape now spends his time as the Director of Major Gifts for the Catholic Near East Welfare Association, an agency of the Vatican, whose mission is to provide pastoral support for the churches of the East and humanitarian aid for all people of the Middle East, North Africa, India and the Ukraine. Pape has an expertise in increasing mission awareness and facilitating major and planned gifts for program sustainability and growth. 

 Robert J. Pape, Jr. has been a member of the Atlantic Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 of the Port Washington Fire Department since May, 2000. Since joining the department, Pape has completed numerous New York State fire service training classes and attended various fire service seminars and today, remains a New York State certified interior structural firefighter. Additionally, Pape is a certified first responder under the Federal Emergency Management Agency of the United States Department of Homeland Security. Robert J. Pape, Jr. became a New York State licensed Emergency Medical Technician-B in November, 2010 and in such capacity received a life saving award from the Port Washington Fire Department in 2011.

Robert J. Pape, Jr. was a first responder to the 9/11 attacks in New York City. Working in New York City at the time as a practicing attorney , Pape responded to the nearest firehouse which was FDNY Engine 65 to report for duty. Upon seeing that Engine 65 had already responded to the attack, Pape reported to the FDNY’s Ninth Battallion  in midtown Manhattan on Eighth Avenue where he remained until the early afternoon. Robert J. Pape, Jr. spent a 12 hour shift at ground zero on the Saturday evening following the attack.

In March, 2002 Robert J. Pape,Jr. was nearly killed while fighting a structure fire in Port Washington NY, with a report of persons trapped above the fire floor. Pape fell through a hidden air shaft  on the roof and suffered injuries from the 40 foot fall. Pape recovered from his injuries and rejoined active duties with the Port Washington Fire Department.

As a result of these life instances, Robert J. Pape, Jr. was diagnosed with clinical depression in late 2002. The condition was present for many years, but remained dormant until Pape’s experience with the 9/11 attack. Pape  sought professional and medical help for the disease which he battled for the next seven years. Robert J. Pape, Jr.’s clinical depression responded well to treatments and is now in remission. Since this experience, Pape has become a public advocate for the treatment of clinical depression.  Pape has told his personal story, living with clinical depression, both privately to those who are dealing with the disease, and publicly to civic and professional organizations, including the New York State and Florida Bar Associations, with the desire to increase awareness of the disease, its symptoms and the various options for treatment which are available.

Robert J. Pape, Jr. is an adopted person. He is married for over 25 years and the father of three children.

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