By Karenlyn Barone
Remembered as a loving husband, devoted father and dedicated soccer coach, Paul perished in the rubble of Tower One after the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers two years ago. His wife, Dorota, postponed having a service up until this time, in the hope that Paul's remains might be uncovered in the WTC rescue efforts.
The afternoon of the attack, Dorota, who is a registered nurse, rushed to the World Trade Center to aid in the triage efforts of on-site medical personnel, and to find her husband, who worked on the 94th floor for American Express.
Sadly, when Dorota left Ground Zero, she carried a ziplock bag full of dirt and ashes as the only tangible reminder of her husband.
"I kept that bag behind my pillow for months," remembered Dorota. "Finally I bought a Lenox ginger jar and placed it in there. It was all I had."
For two years, Dorota avoided having a formal funeral and burial, although she and Theo and daughter, Stefania, 22, did have a ceremonial Mass at St. Paul's Cathedral in Garden City two weeks after the attack. They chose to wait and prayed that Paul's remains would be returned to them.
"I thought the time would come when I would have more," said Dorota. "I was sure they would find something, but they didn't. For all this time he has been in limbo and he needed a home."
Quite suddenly a few weeks ago, she decided that enough time had passed, enough waiting had been done and a funeral service and burial were planned. "I need a place to go to and pray," said Dorota. "I can't wait any longer."
And so, the Zois family invited all those who had been touched by Paul's spirit to attend the early morning Saturday service. The church was filled with family and friends, somber in their dress and in their thoughts. They joined together with Father Bill Jablonski, to pray, remember and seek comfort in their faith.
Interment is at Holy Rood Cemetery, Westbury.
