BY ERICH MESLIN
Photo Credit: Erich Meslin
Twenty-two years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, about 70 people gathered in Donohue for a memorial prayer service.
The ceremony occurs yearly near the flagpole atop the Donohue Hill. A forecast of heavy rain and thunderstorms moved the service inside to the Great Room.
The service, led by Deacon Ryan Kerr C.S.C, drew students, faculty, campus police, clergy, and members of the athletic department, board of trustees, and administration.
Deacon Kerr opened the ceremony with a prayer. “We gather today mindful of the brokenness that plagues our world. We gather mindful of all whose lives that were lost or forever changed by the attacks of September 11th, 2001,” he said.
The Stonehill College community has a personal connection to the deadly attacks.
Victims of that fateful day include Timothy Coughlin ’80, Peter Gay, Rev. Francis Grogan C.S.C, James Hayden ‘76, and Timothy Reilly ’82.
Timothy “Cogs” Coughlin graduated in 1980. He was a bond trader and in one of the towers. He was a member of the Stonehill football team and earned the MVP award his senior year. The Stonehill turf athletic field is named after him and a golf tournament is held yearly in his honor. The golf tournament has raised more than $2 million for Stonehill athletics and scholarships.
Photo Credit: Erich Meslin
Peter Gay was a father of a Stonehill graduate.
Rev. Francis Grogan of the Congregation of Holy Cross was on United Flight 175, the second plane to hit the World Trade Center. His plane carried 65 people onboard. Grogan taught English and Theology at Stonehill.
Kerr shared an unconfirmed story about how Grogan was ministering to fellow passengers.” I truly believe in this story because it shows how devoted Grogan was to his faith,” he said. Grogan’s remains were never recovered. A memorial headstone has been placed in the Holy Cross Fathers and Brothers Cemetery on Stonehill’s campus.
James Hayden graduated in 1976. He was also on Flight 175, which hit the south tower. He was an accountant and father of two. In his honor, his wife, Elizabeth, and two children have helped establish the Hayden Chair for the study of Race, Ethnicity, and Social Justice.
Timothy Reilly graduated in 1982. He was co-captain of the tennis team. At the time of his death, Reilly was a vice president in the national property loss department of Marsh USA.
Comments