Clipper News
Xaverian Alumni 9/11 Alumni Eternal Flame
Hundreds of supporters bore witness to the unveiling and dedication of the 9/11 Alumni Memorial honoring the 23 Xaverian graduates who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
Hundreds of supporters bore witness to the unveiling and dedication of the 9/11 Alumni Memorial honoring the 23 Xaverian graduates who lost their lives in the attacks on the World Trade Center in 2001.
At a special Mass of Remembrance in an overflow auditorium, the lives of the alumni victims were remembered, and their accomplishments and friendships were recalled as the community prayed together. Alumni victims’ families led a candle-light procession of faculty and students, community leaders and dignitaries out to Shore Road where a sizeable crowd had already assembled.
The 9/11 Memorial is prominently installed on the school’s front grounds on Shore Road. Standing 8’ tall and 7.5’ wide at its base, it was designed by Rambusch Studios in consultation with Xaverian’s art teachers Brother Clement Kowalchuk, CFX, and Sigfried Heiles ’64. The century-old architectural decoration firm also produced Xaverian’s statueof Mary, Our Lady of the Narrows in 1962.
The striking black granite triptych contains poignant symbolism (see caption) of that tragic day which so viscerally affected the Xaverian community. As the Eternal Flame was ignited, the words of the Jesus were pronounced, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of Life. John 8:12
MEMORIAL DESCRIPTION
The Xaverian 9/11 Alumni Memorial is a triptych of polished onyx granite standing 8’ tall and 7.5’ wide at its base. The central panel portrays the Twin Towers behind a large gray crucifix. Beneath the gold-leafed name Xaverian is mounted a 24” x 18” x 2.5” piece of structural steel from a foundation beam of Tower One, donated to the Alumni by New York City’s Office of Emergency Management.
The names of Xaverian’s 23 lost alumni are carved on the left panel, while the words “All Lost Some, Some Lost All” appear on the right.
At the base of the Memorial, atop a shallow pyramid, is an eternal flame fueled by gas.
The memorial was the generous gift of the late Dr. Philip Whitcome Class of 1966, former Chairman of the Board of Xaverian.
Recalling the 9/11 Memorial Dedication, September 7th, 2002
9/11 Xaverian Alumni in your prayers:
Gregory J. Buck ’82, FDNY Engine 201
Richard Caggiano ’94, Cantor Fitzgerald
Liam J. Colhoun ’84, Bank America
Carl M. Flickinger ’81, Cantor Fitzgerald
Howard G. Gelling ’91, Sandler O’Neill
Josepj J. Howard ’68, J.P. Morgan Chase
Vincent D. Kane ’82, FDNY Engine 22
Joseph A. Masacali ’74, FDNY Rescue 5
Michael Massaroli ’81, Cantor Fitzgerald
Charles J. Mauro ’81, Windows on the World
Robert J. Murach ’74, Cantor Fitzgerald
Mario Nardone ’87, Euro Brokers
Dennis P. O’Berg ’91, FDNY Ladder 105
James O’Brien ’86, Cantor Fitzgerald
James F. Quinn ’95, Cantor Fitzgerald
Gregorg Reda ’85, Marsh & McLennan
Jude Safi ’94, Cantor Fitzgerald
Paul R. Salvio ’92, Carr Futures
John M. Sbarbaro ’74, Cantor Fitzgerald
Patrick Sullivan ’87, Cantor Fitzgerald
James Suozzo ’72, Cantor Fitzgerald
Robert F. Tipaldi ’94, Cantor Fitzgerald
Thomas F. Wise ’75, Marsh & McLennan
Xaverian
Established in 1957, Xaverian is one of thirteen schools nationwide sponsored by the Xaverian Brothers.
