Tomorrow marks the 21-year anniversary of the terrorist attacks launched against the United States on September 11, 2001.
Many of those who were born before 9/11 vividly recall where they were and what they were doing when news reports of the attacks terrified the nation. The children of the 9/11 victims are now grown adults with children of their own.
Some local residents did not make it out alive.
The Town of Cornwall will hold their annual memorial ceremony tomorrow to honor the local residents as well as everyone else who perished in the attacks. The ceremony will be held at the traffic circle on Sunday, 9/11/2022 at 6:00 pm.
Orange County will hold their annual Patriot Day ceremony at the Orange County Abroretum at Thomas Bull Memorial Park on Sunday, 9/11/2022 at 6:00pm. The keynote speaker will be Battalion Chief Eddie Boles, a longtime Orange County resident and almost 30-year member of the FDNY. He arrived at Ground Zero shortly after the second tower fell and remained there into the next day.
Below are the local victims of the 9/11 attacks who resided within The Newburgh News, LLC’s coverage area:
DANIEL M. COFFEY
Age 54
Newburgh, NY
Daniel Michael Coffey, age 54 of Newburgh, planned to meet his son for lunch at the World Trade Center.
Daniel worked on the 94th floor of One World Trade as a Senior Vice President of Guy Carpentry & Company. Jason Coffey, his son, also worked in the building.
The father and son met for lunch because Daniel needed to have his wedding ring enlarged after 30 years of marriage and Jason was picking out a surprise engagement ring for his fiancee, Colleen McDonald.
Daniel Coffey was the son and grandson of an only child. His family lived in Newburgh for many generations.
Daniel was born in Cornwall on April 20, 1947. He was a graduate of Valley Central High School and Marist College. He was a decorated Vietnam veteran for the U.S. Army. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the Sharpshooter Commendation. He was also a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in the City of Newburgh.
Daniel and his wife, Francis, had three sons: Daniel, Jason and Kevin.
Following 9/11, a memorial service was held for Daniel and Jason at St. Patrick’s Church. Monsignor John Budwick and Father Bill Scafidi presided.
JASON M. COFFEY
Age 25
Newburgh, NY
Jason Michael Coffey, age 25 of Newburgh, planned to meet his father for lunch at the World Trade Center.
Jason worked on the 98th floor of One World Trade as a Senior Accountant for Marsh & McLennan. His father, listed above, also worked in the building.
The father and son met for lunch because Daniel needed to have his wedding ring enlarged after 30 years of marriage and Jason was picking out a surprise engagement ring for his fiancee, Colleen McDonald.
Jason was in the process of settling down. He was purchasing his grandparents’ house in Newburgh and was planning on fixing it up with Colleen. The couple planned to get married on December 7, 2002.
Jason was born in Newburgh on December 20, 1975. He was a graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and Bryant College. Like his father, he was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in the City of Newburgh. He was also a member of the Bryant College Rugby Team.
Following 9/11, a memorial service was held for Daniel and Jason at St. Patrick’s Church. Monsignor John Budwick and Father Bill Scafidi presided.
JOHN J. GIORDANO
Age 47
Newburgh, NY
John J. Giordano, age 47 of Newburgh, was assigned to FDNY Hazardous Materials 1 on the day of the attacks. He perished while saving others in the South Tower. His body was recovered over one month later.
John was born on January 17, 1954. He grew up on Staten Island and graduated from the St. Peter’s High School in 1970 and later from Brooklyn College. He was a graduate student at Bard College.
In 1986, John moved to Newburgh with his wife Roxanne. At the time of his death, John left behind his wife Roxanne, and three children: Jonathan, age 14; Jessica, age 11; and Jordan, age 3.
John was a parishioner with Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh. He was also a member of the FDNY Holy Name Society and Columbian Association. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Heart Church following his death.
RONNIE L. HENDERSON
Age 52
Newburgh, NY
Ronnie L. Henderson, age 52 of Newburgh, was assigned to FDNY Engine 279 at the time of his death. His company was one of the first to be dispatched to the World Trade Center. He was reportedly in Tower One when he was last heard from.
Ronnie was born on July 23, 1949. He attended Alexander Hamilton High School and John Jay College. He served as a United States Marine for 12 years and then served an additional eight years in the National Guard. He was deployed in Vietnam and again during the first Gulf War. He had more than 22 years on the job with FDNY.
At the time of his death, Ronnie was a father of four after helping to raise his five siblings.
Ronnie was active in the Newburgh community. He was also a member of the Church of God by Faith.
KENNETH B. KUMPEL
Age 42
Cornwall, NY
Kenneth B. Kumpel, age 42 of Cornwall, was assigned to FDNY Ladder 25 at the time of his death. He was killed when the South Tower collapsed.
Kenneth was born on December 30, 1958 on Long Island. He married Nancy Gorman in 1982. He took a job as a police officer for NYPD in 1987. He went on to join FDNY in 1990.
Kenneth and Nancy moved to Cornwall in 1994 after building their family home together. He joined the Cornwall Fire Department as a volunteer firefighter.
At the time of his death, Kenneth was survived by his wife, Nancy; sons Gregory and Carl; and mother Lois Kumpel. She passed away ten years later.
GERARD NEVINS
Age 46
Campbell Hall, NY
Gerard Nevins, age 46 of Campbell Hall, was assigned to FDNY Rescue 1, was killed while rescuing others inside the World Trade Center. Prior to his death, he had recently received two medals for rescuing victims in two previous incidents.
Gerard was born on February 21, 1955 in Brooklyn. He joined the FDNY in 1983. He moved to Campbell Hall and started a farm. He lived there with his wife Marie, whom he met in 1979. At the time of his death, he had two children: Daniel, age 7; and Andrew, age 5. He was also survived by his mother, step-father, and grandmother.
Firefighter Gerard Nevins succumbed to injuries sustained while operating at Manhattan 5th alarm Box 8087 transmitted at 0847 HRS on September 11th, 2001. Firefighter Nevins appointed on July 6th, 1983. He has previously served with Engine 84 and Ladder 34 in Washington Heights.
On March 18, Gerard responded to Times Square for a sign swinging in high winds. Nevins was lowered by a rope to secure the sign 200 feet above the sidewalk. Debris had fallen down to the street and injured numerous pedestrians. Nevins wore a body hardness and used high-angle ropes to be lowered down and secure the sign. For that incident, he was awarded the Thomas A. Kenny Memorial Medal for courage and determination.
On November 21, 1999, Gerard performed a life-saving rescue in a second alarm fire at West 71st Street and Columbus Avenue in Manhattan. He earned the WilliamFriedberg Medal for his life-saving efforts.
PAUL G. RUBACK
Age 50
Newburgh, NY
Paul G. Ruback, age 50 of Newburgh, was assigned to FDNY Ladder Company 25 in Manhattan’s Upper West Side on the day of the attacks. It is believed that he perished while attempted to rescue victims in Tower Two of the World Trade Center.
It was said that firefighting was Paul’s dream and one of the happiest days of his life was when he was sworn into the FDNY.
Paul was born on July 24, 1951 in Chester. He was a graduate of the Chester High School and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Syracuse University.
At the time, Paul was survived by his wife Lynne; three children, David, age 18; Gina, age 17; and Shannon, age 11; one stepson, Danny Marino; one stepdaughter, Denyse Betcher; two grandchildren, Ryan and Justen Betcher; Debbie Macielag, the companion he lived with for more than four years; and their son, Paul, age 2.
MICHAEL A. TRINIDAD
Age 33
Newburgh, NY
Michael A. Trinidad, age 33 of Newburgh, called his ex-wife and current friend Monique Ferrer to say goodbye from One World Trade Center. He was employed there as a Telecommunications Accountant for Cantor Fitzgerald.
Michael and Monique had divorced three years earlier, but they stayed friends. They had two children together: Trea, age 7; and Timothy, age 6.
Michael was also survived by nine brothers and sisters.
MARK P. WHITFORD
Age 31
Salisbury Mills, NY
Mark P. Whitford, age 31 of Salisbury Mills, was assigned to FDNY Engine 23 in Manhattan on the day of the attacks. He was killed in the South Tower while saving others. Before going inside, he called his wife to say his potential goodbye.
The night before his death, Mark was notified that he was accepted into Staten Island’s elite Rescue 5.
Mark was born on April 5, 1970 on Staten Island. He graduated from Tottenville High School on Staten Island and then from Seton Hall University. He started his career with the FDNY in 1997. On July 22, 1999, Mark helped deliver a baby with a team of firefighters.
Mark moved to Salisbury Mills one year before his death. He was a parishioner with St. Mary’s Church in Washingtonville. At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife Renee and twin sons, Timothy and Matthew, who were 13 months old.
