The flag over Newton’s War Memorial on Sept. 11, 2012
Fifteen individuals who died as a result of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks are known to have a Newton connection. There will be groundbreaking ceremony Tuesday evening for the Newton 9/11 Memorial, which will soon be built on the grounds of the Fire Department Headquarters. The groundbreaking will take place at 6 p.m. at Fire Headquarters, located at 1164 Centre Street. If you know of any additional names, please add them to the comments section.
Mark Bavis, a Roslindale native who had recently moved to West Newton, was a hockey star at Catholic Memorial High School. He was on board one of the two planes.
Paige Farley-Hackel, 46, was a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, and was trying to get certification as a spiritual instructor. She was on board American Airlines Flight 11, heading to California to speak with radio producers about a radio show on spirituality.
Eric Hartono, originally from Indonesia, was reported to be a student in Newton who was moving to Los Angeles. He was on board United Airlines Flight 175.
Nicholas Humber, 60, a resident of Auburndale. He was one of the first employees of the Environmental Protection Agency in 1971, and was instrumental in starting its waste management division. He was also on American Airlines Flight 11.
Aaron Jacobs died at the World Trade Center at age of 27. A vice president and partner on the international trading desk at Cantor Fitzgerald. His parents, Alice and Laurence Jacobs lived in Waban.
Ariel Louis Jacobs, 29,was a newlywed, an expectant father, executive vice president of U.S. Operations of Caplin Systems, and the brother of Newton-resident Claudia Jacobs when he died in the World Trade Center. His first and only child was born six days after his death.
Danny Lewin, 31, died on board American Airlines Flight 11. He lived in Newtonville with his wife and children. He founded Akamai Technologies, a website management system.
Stuart Meltzer, 32, grew up in Newton Highlands and moved to Long Island not long before his death. He was remembered fondly by teachers and coaches at the Rivers School in Weston. He worked in energy management, with offices in the World Trade Center.
Richard Ross, 58, a resident of Oak Hill. A businessman, he moved to Newton 22 years before, and had run a travel agency and a copy machine sales business before becoming a corporate consultant. He died on board American Airlines Flight 11.
Jean, 55, and Don Peterson, 66, of Spring Lake, N.J. Jean was a retired nurse and nursing teacher, church and community volunteer. Don was a retired president, Continental Electric Co., church and community volunteer. The mother and stepfather of Newton North Principal Jen Price were aboard United Flight 93.
Rahma Salie, 28, and Michael Theodoridis, 32, were expecting their first child when they died aboard American Airlines Flight 11. She worked for an internet security company and he was a technology consultant. Their parents, Haleema and Ysuff Salie, live in West Newton.
Clarin Siegel Schwartz, 51, was a tax lawyer and senior vice president at Aon Consulting Inc. in the World Trade Center. She was also a 1967 graduate of Newton South High School.
Amy Toyen, 24, grew up in Avon, Conn., and moved to Newton in 1999. She was planning to get married in 2002. She was on the 106th floor of the World Trade Center at a trade show for her company, Thompson Financial Group.
Greg, I read every line about each person. And added 11 to their ages at the time, and speculated what they may have been doing today had they been allowed to reach their respective ages eleven years later.
Maybe just some things are beyond words and don’t need further comment. Beyond words in sadness perhaps.
What’s left to say that hasn’t been said a thousand times before? It was a dark day for our country, and a awful day for our city. It’s always bothered the hell out of me that two of the terrorists spent the night before the attacks in a Newton hotel.
I’m very thankful to President Obama and the Navy Seals who finally brought OBL to justice. But of course that can’t undo the horror of it all, and I grieve for the families who lost loved ones.
Mostly, I’m worried that the terrorists actually won. Sure, America is still here. We can rebuild the buildings. But the 9-11 attacks changed our society. We now willingly and routinely sacrifice freedom for “security.” Doing so is a disservice not only to ourselves, but to the men and women who perished.
I think of the heroes on Flight 93, who on a moments notice sacrificed themselves for their country and it’s ideals. I hate to say this, but I don’t think Todd Beamer would be very pleased with how sheepishly Americans have handled the past eleven years.
Thank you for posting this. I was in NYC that day; it is etched in my memory.
I’m thankful for the Navy SEALs who donated their lives to being awesome and risked their lives to take him out, and gave their lives along the way.
Mike, I’m glad you see this. All these people in Newton who hated the patriot act to the point of protesting it in the streets under Bush are silent when our current president signed it again (not the mention other fun things such as the NDAA).
It’s scary and disgusting how willingly people will give up their freedoms because the government tells them it is to protect them from something scary. Unfortunately people are too scared to vote for anybody different, which is why we are left with virtually no choice this coming election.
Mike
In many ways, Newton is like a small town. I knew 2 of the people on this list and it is still sad how much they are all missed by so many in this City and beyond.
I had a friend from college who was drafted by the celtics in the 10th round (when the NBA had 10 rounds, his name was Dan Trant). He worked at Cantor and Fitzgerald (I think thats the right name) and he died along with 600 others from Cantor and Fitzgerald. Very sad.