Madeline “Amy” Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery (2012)

Paul Antonino

This year marks the 25th Anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, in which at least 206 people with ties to Massachusetts perished. The first flights to be hijacked took off from Boston Logan International Airport. Madeline “Amy” Sweeney, a flight attendant on American Airlines Flight 11, displayed extraordinary cool under extreme pressure during the hijacking. The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund Blog is profiling the Sweeney Award recipients for the past quarter century every week leading up to the naming of the 2026 Honoree(s) at the 25th Anniversary Commemoration on September 11th.

Wakefield man saves East Boston residents from 7-alarm fire

On April 1, 2012, Paul Antonino was eating lunch with his daughter at one of his favorite spots in East Boston – Oliveira’s Brazilian BBQ on Chelsea Street. When they came outside after lunch, they smelled smoke.

The Wakefield man saw smoke coming from the top of a building across the street from the restaurant, so he circled the block in his car to assess the situation. When Paul pulled up to the building at 330 Chelsea Street, he saw the smoke was now much thicker.

Paul ran into the building and began knocking on doors. When no one answered at two apartments, Paul kicked in the doors. Two senior citizens in those apartments were unaware of the fire spreading quickly above them. Paul yelled, “Let’s go! Let’s go! We’ve got to get out!”

Several hours later the raging blaze spread to 328 Chelsea St., an adjoining three-family building. The inferno ultimately caused the partial collapse of 330 Chelsea St. and gutted 328 Chelsea St. The fire caused over $2.5 million in damage and left 30 people homeless.

Boston Fire Department officials said they couldn’t believe everyone safely escaped from the seven-alarm blaze. If not for Paul, some of those 23 adults and seven children who lived in the buildings could have been seriously injured or killed.

Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray presented Paul, 53, with the 11th annual Madeline Amy Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery during a State House ceremony on Tuesday.

“In the aftermath of 9/11, the country came together as one and we were reminded of how valuable it is to help others and pay it forward,” Murray said. “As we remember Amy's legacy, it is fitting that we as a Commonwealth recognize another extraordinary hero, Paul Antonino, who risked his life and bravely saved and protected others.”

Sen. Katherine M. Clark nominated Paul for the Sweeney Award. “Paul Antonino is the embodiment of a true hero. His selfless act of courage, with regard only for the safety of strangers, was extraordinary,” Clark said.

Next week: “The man in the cowboy hat” saves life of Boston Marathon bombing victim