Local business owner recounts time spent helping at ground zero

CLIFTON PARK, N.Y. (NEWS10) — In the aftermath of the attacks on September 11, many first responders were faced with physical and mental health challenges. For one local man who helped in that effort on Ground Zero, he’s finding unique ways to bring together the community, in the wake of a difficult diagnosis. 

For Joe and Nancy Gonzalez, operating their new coffee truck brings a semblance of calm. For Joe, it’s reminiscent of the community he saw at ground zero. 

“I was surrounded by these super human superhero people” Joe recounted. “Just to see the work that was being done, just the volunteerism, ”

First responders are the ones often singled out for their work after the attack. Yet many others, including Joe played an equally important role. The General Electric worker volunteered to install Diesel generators so rescue workers could search for victims. 

“That ground zero area itself needed lights and all the equipment, so that’s what we would do” Joe explained.

After his service, Joe was faced with health complications.

“I was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma” Joe said. “I was a first responder in New York City. The prevalence of Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in the first responders is very, very high. Statistically an anomaly… I went through radiation and chemotherapy. I finished in March and honestly, I feel pretty good.”

It was then that Joe and his wife Nancy decided they had to make a change. So they switched careers.

“It’s just life. 2.0.” Joe commented. “Part of life 2.0 will be us launching this new coffee truck business.”

When they first started in the food service industry, they serviced Kona Ice trucks. For Joe, it was about bringing happiness and a sense of calm to customers. Something he valued deeply after his work on September 11th.

“It was refreshing to be able to distance myself from that chaos, and I know on a very small level it’s something that we try to do in our business” Joe added.

Soon after, Joe began brewing up a plan to bring that same sense of community to a new audience.

“Some of the parents that brought their kids to buy a Kona Ice can now treat themselves to a coffee or a hot drink” said Joe.

As he looked back on his service after the attacks, he remembered the comfort that food brought everyone.

“I had a route that I walked through and there was a fire station” Joe recalled. “Every time I went to that fire station, those firemen would not let me leave without food. And I don’t mean regular food. I mean like abundant food. It was good people doing good work. There was a calm in the storm, I’ll never forget.”

Joe and Nancy are hoping to bring Travelin’ Toms Coffee Truck on the road starting next week.