A Tribute to Joseph Zaccoli
Today I am devoting my blog to join thousands of other bloggers in paying tribute to each of the 2,996 victims of the 9/11 attacks. The blog tributes were organized by Dale Roe, and with his efforts, every victim has an assigned blogger who will pay tribute. When I heard about this project, I immediately signed up, and I was assigned to write about Joseph Zaccoli.
Around 7:30 AM on the morning of September 11th, 2001, Joseph Zaccoli arrived at his office on the 104th floor of One World Trade Center, where he worked for Cantor-Fitzgerald as a bonds broker.
His day was to be like any other — catch the early train from Long Island, put in a hard days work with the company he loved, and get home in time to be with the family he loved even more. His daughter was about to have her 11th birthday. His wife, Helen, had just started a job teaching theology at Kellenberg Memorial High School. Basketball season was just around the corner, and he loved coaching his kids’ basketball teams. “Shooter,” as he was nicknamed, had the best shot in the family. And while summer was over, he always got the most of it during the family vacations to the beach.
A little over an hour after he arrived at work, American Airlines Flight 11 struck his building, between the 94th and 98th floors. Joe was trapped above. He couldn’t get in touch with his wife, but he did reach his father-in-law, Neil Griffin. He said, “‘call my wife and go pick up my kids. I’m OK now. I’ll do everything I can.”
His body was recovered 6 days later, and amazingly, his wedding ring was also recovered and returned to his wife. The inscription on his ring said, “Till death.” His wife’s said, “Till us part.”
As his brother-in-law, Christopher Griffin, said of him, he was a “devoted father, wonderful husband to my sister, extraordinary sense of humor, a man who persevered.” Every morning, he would bring muffins and coffee to his wife. Every year, he would send roses to his mother. He was very involved with his children, especially their sports teams.
His brother-in-law, Ray, wrote a tribute of 100 words for Joe:
Man, son, husband, father, Daddy, brother, uncle, coach, friend, family man, in-law, practical joker, loud laugher, maniac with a vacuum, sharp dresser, pizza lover, bagel buyer, muffin getter, movie lover, movie dialogue memorizer (sometimes over did it), wallet loser, wallet finder, composure keeper, Ocean City boogie-boarder, summer crew cut wearer, nothing but netter, carrot cake devourer, hoops lover, book reader, life of the party, number cruncher, Knick ticket getter, loved his wife, but drove her crazy, bargain hunter, real estate mogul, Survivor in our hearts, special to us all, we miss you, we love you, we’ll never forget you
In Remembrance of Joseph Zaccoli, Age 39, Valley Stream, New York
Sources used:
Cantor Fitzgerald Families Memorial
Posted by jayernh under Archive | Comments (8)
Wow, it’s great of you to do this.
Your “September 11th Memorial” link is broken, btw.
Comment by Wizzel Cogcarrier Wizzleton IV — September 12, 2006 @ 1:35 pm
I hope his kids are doing ok. My Dad died when I was 5 – I’m 13 now. It’s really hard on kids, to lose a parent.
This is a beautiful tribute.
Comment by Jonathon — September 13, 2006 @ 1:03 pm
Yes, unfortunately the site went down on September 11th because of the high volume of traffic. I found some mirror sites but I was out of town, and by the time I returned today it seems the site is back up. He’s now working on a permanent site to host the links to all the tributes. He had over 3,400 people sign up to honor the victims of 9/11.
Comment by jayernh — September 13, 2006 @ 1:33 pm
Awesome tribute Jaye.
Comment by X — September 14, 2006 @ 12:23 am
Thinking of Joe’s family on this, the 8th anniversary of his passing.
I want to send my best to them….
I was raised in Valley Stream and Joe was a childhood playmate.
Many fun summer nights playing kick the can, or just sitting on the Koshefsky stoop.
Hope you are happy wherever you are, Joe…I will always remember you
Comment by Gena Rositano — September 11, 2009 @ 11:02 am
People leading their lives… Thank you for taking time to remember Joe Zaccoli.
Comment by Cathy — September 11, 2009 @ 1:10 pm
Awesome – I was really glad to hear so many people signed up for this tribute.
Comment by coppertopper — September 11, 2009 @ 6:12 pm
To The Zaccoli Family:
There has not been a day; that I have not thought about you Husband, father, brother, uncle, friend. My name is Germano Riviera, and I am the survivor, volunteer; that recover the remains of Joseph. As I do write this few lines; I am also looking at the Flag Of Honor; that it is located behind my computer. With the name of Joseph Zaccoli looking right at me. I did never had the honor of meeting Joseph, but for the many things that I have read about him; seem to me that he was a great guy. The must amazing thing about-it is. That in my nightmares, and dreams. I could not see his face. I only could imagine his looks. The color of his hair, his hight, weight, and so on. One day not very long ago; while talking to my Social Worker at Mount Sinai Hospital. I told her about my dreams. Since my desire was so estrong. I had to find out something about this man. My Social Worker had the idea of going to the computer, and typing his name; there was a short silence, and then there hi was. A cool feeling went from the bottom of my feet; to the top of my head. Tears run down my cheeks. There was Joseph, the friend that I never had, but that one day we will meet up in heaven, and shake hands like old friends. Since I found his remains. Joseph, and I became friends. I pray to him very often, and wishing that one day; I will have the honor of meeting his family. I do hope Mrs. Zaccoli remembers me. We talk brifly, that first December of the year 2001, and I would love to tell her; that I donated some momentos to the 9/11 Memorial, and Museum; that will open on the year of 2012 (G-d permit)The gloves that touch, and recover Joseph’s remains, the boots that were melted by the heat emanated by the fires under ground, the helmet that I ware during the time that I spent in ground zero, and other items. The next ceremonies are approaching, and I do not know if you Mrs. Zaccoli; or the whole family will be there. This year I do believe; that the Memorial will be finish. At least this is what I wast told by the 9/11 Memorial organizers. It wil be an honor to meet any member of Joseph’s Family. G-d Bless the Zaccoli Family, and my prayers are always with you.
Germano Riviera
Comment by Germano Riviera — July 5, 2010 @ 2:29 pm