In memoriam Honoring the E. Meadow residents who died Sept. 11
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On Sept. 11, 2001, the East Meadow community lost one of its own, New York City firefighter Battalion Chief Thomas DeAngelis.
He was one of the first to respond when the first plane hit, a fact which surprised no one who knew him.
DeAngelis loved his job, was committed to fulfilling his duty, and often said that he could not imagine ever doing anything else.
Affectionately referred to as "chuckles" by fellow firefighters, DeAngelis' nickname was a commentary about his love for the job and the way he took on life's toughest challenges. Friends said that he never tired of telling them how proud and happy he was to be a city firefighter. For him, it was his responsibility to help. He had to help and wanted to help.
"Tommy loved life," said Patty, his wife of 18 years. "Whatever the outcome, he embraced it with a smile, believing that it's the way things were meant to be."
The 51-year-old firefighter with the bushy mustache and twinkle in his eyes studied karate, sailed, golfed and skied. His wife said that her husband had dreamed of someday owning a sailboat to travel for weeks on the water. But, the man who desired peace and tranquillity also had an adventurous side.
Right before he died, DeAngelis was thinking of buying a motorcycle and was committed to his rigorous workouts at a local gym. DeAngelis was also an avid reader.
"Tommy enjoyed writing short stories in his spare time," Patty said. "His dream was to one day have a book published."
DeAngelis was the sort of guy who enjoyed a good practical joke, played baseball and loved to go camping. But what he loved most was his family.
His daughters Christine and Nicole and son Tommy were a constant source of pride and joy. Friends said that he savored every moment he shared with his family. He never tired of bragging about his youngest daughter, Clarke Middle School student Nicole's athletic abilities in softball and field hockey. And he was available when a chaperone was needed for a Girl Scout trip.
One can only imagine the lives that DeAngelis impacted on Sept. 11, his tireless efforts, and commitment to help those who could not run away, victims who were totally dependent on a hero. Although he is now gone, Patty believes, he will never be forgotten.
"Tommy touched all that knew him with his kindness, respect and love. There is a huge void in all those lives he's touched, especially his family's," Patty said. "But we remember what he would say, 'This is the way it was meant to be.' Every day, we move forward in a small way knowing that Tommy is still with us just in a different way."
Remembering Carlos
Carlos Dominguez, of East Meadow, had worked as a consultant for two years for Marsh & McLennan. He had just been hired as a permanent employee on Sept. 10, 2001 as the chief of firewall security. Marsh & McLennan was located on the 95th floor in Tower One.
"We thought that we were a very lucky family," said Maureen Dominguez, his wife. "Carlos was a very bright, articulate man who did very well in the business world. Marsh & McLennan said that [his death] is a big loss for them because he was one of their best workers."
Dominguez said that her husband had always been a good father to his three children: Maria, 10, Amanda, 6, and Michelle, 2 . They had frequently traveled as a family to places like Disney World and Sesame Place.
Dominguez described her husband as a giving man who would help anyone in need. While dating, the couple had spent much time doing charity work together through the Kiwanis Club and Circle K.
Dominguez joined the East Meadow Kiwanis Club about two years ago, an experience that she said she enjoys. She went on to note that she appreciates the community's help and continuous respect for her privacy.
Ann McGovern
A dedicated mother, wife
At 66 years old, Ann McGovern was remarkably active. An avid golfer, she managed to get two holes in one last year and also played tennis on a regular basis.
The East Meadow resident of 40 years was a mother of three children and grandmother to five. McGovern was also the vice president of AON Insurance located in the World Trade Center. She lost her life on Sept. 11.
For five years, McGovern dedicated herself to AON Insurance, which was located on the 92nd floor of Tower Two. Ten people from her company died on Sept. 11--the day terrorists hijacked and slammed two planes into the towers, sending them crumbling to the ground. Lawrence McGovern, the victim's husband, said that his wife always left early each morning, around 6 a.m., to allow herself time to complete work before the phones began to ring. Sept. 11 wasn't any different.
"Ann was very sure of herself and very intelligent," Lawrence said. "She was very well liked."
The couple would have been married for 47 years this past June.
"It's hard being alone," Lawrence said. "I had a companion that I'd been with every day and night, and now I'm alone."
He has always been very active at his church, St. Brigid's Catholic Church in Westbury. He said that his church has been a source of comfort to him, remarking that they have offered continual help.
Lawrence does have many happy memories with his wife. He feels fortunate that the couple had gone out to dinner the evening before the tragedy. The next morning, McGovern gave her husband a list of chores to do before she left for work. That was the last meeting they had.
Julie Ann Bacci, a nurse from the victim's doctor's office, admired McGovern. She said that McGovern was remarkable and was most impressed by her inner strength.
"Ann believed that no matter what the problem was, she could face it," Bacci said. "She believed that it was important to be true to herself and that no matter what happened, she could overcome it."
This past summer the East Meadow Chamber of Commerce laid a brick down in memory of McGovern, along with ones for the two other local victims of the World Trade Center tragedy, in the new town square.
The East Meadow town square is located inside Veterans Memorial Park at the corner of East Meadow and Prospect avenues.
