Firefighter George Kreuscher, Jr. of Engine Company 93 has retired since this portrait was painted. He is the son of Lt. Kreuscher, whose portrait is also in the gallery exhibit. I was inspired to paint his portrait after hearing in the news that he had been severely burned when a rioter threw a Molotov cocktail at his fire truck, and because I had painted his father. I was impressed by George's generous view of humanity as we discussed the riot that left him scarred for life. He did not condemn the entire Dominican community because the perpetrator was of that nationality, but saw it as the actions of one individual. He told me about the outpouring of support from the Dominican community after the attack, and how that touched him deeply. George's portrait was one of the most challenging, as we elected to use charcoal on his face to give the impression that he had just come off a "job". He described the typical post-fire look as "raccoon eyes".
This is what George himself had to say for a 1995 Unsung Heroes exhibition catalog: "After four years in the United States Marine Corps, I was appointed in April of 1989 and assigned to Engine Company 93, Washington Heights Manhattan. One hot July night in 1993, 93 Engine was attacked by rioters, who threw a Molotov cocktail into our apparatus, burning Thomas Brannigan, Timothy O'Conner, and me. During a lengthy recovery I was transferred to Tower Ladder 44 in the South Bronx, where I work today. As a child of a firefighter (Lieutenant George Kreuscher, Engine 230, Ladder 102, Rescue 1 and Division of Training) I had heard many stories of bravery and heroism that caused one to shake one's head in disbelief. As a firefighter, I have witnessed many other similar acts. Firefighters love life and try to live it to the fullest. I've never laughed harder than I have in the firehouse kitchen, or despaired more at the death of a fellow firefighter. I believe that it's their love of life that drives them to preserve the lives of others. Next to the love of my wife and daughter, being able to share the title of "New York City Firefighter" with this awe-inspiring bunch has been my greatest achievement."
I spoke with George recently, who has retired due to the injuries sustained in that 1993 attack. He has another beautiful daughter now, and has gone back to school to earn a college degree