Memorial Mass held for Massachusetts pilot killed in World Trade Center crash

By KEN MAGUIRE
Associated Press Writer

DRACUT, Mass. – An airline pilot killed in the terrorist attacks was remembered Monday as a dedicated aviator and avid farmer by thousands who attended his memorial.

"Some teasingly, and lovingly, called him `John Deere Johnny,"' said Jim Ogonowski, the brother of John Ogonowski, captain of one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center.

"United Americans standing tall. That's what John sees today when he looks down. ... Our spirit stands unbroken. John would be so proud."

About 2,000 people – including 400 uniformed employees of American Airlines – attended.

Ogonowski, a 50-year-old father of three daughters, was the captain of American Flight 11, which was hijacked from the Boston airport along with a United jetliner. Terrorists crashed the airliners into the twin towers.

Ogonowski had been a pilot for American for 23 years.

"He was the consummate aviator," said John Panarelli, 48, who drove more than 20 hours from Georgia. Ogonowski had been Panarelli's flight instructor.

"It was always a pleasant surprise to see his name on the flight list," said flight attendant Gynni Neri, who called Ogonowski "the sweetest man in the world."

Ogonowski also worked to preserve open space and leased parts of his 150-acre farm to Cambodian immigrants so they could grow produce native to their homeland as part of a project.

A memorial for Michael R. Horrocks, 38, the first officer on the United jet that hit the Trade Center, was also held Monday. A 21-gun salute and taps were played.

"He had a real zest for community and family," said the Rev. Ralph Chieffo of St. Mary Magdalen Church in Upper Providence Township in Pennsylvania.

Friends said Horrocks became interested in flying while a senior in college when he took the controls of a friend's small plane on a trip to Florida.

AP-WS-09-17-01 1504EDT