His name was Michael R. Horrocks.  He was 38 years old and part of the crew of flight 175.  When I participated in the 2996 project a few years back I was given a married couple who had been on one of the flights.  Instead of trying to write my own version of their story, I told it from comments I gleaned from the internet.  I added my own personal thoughts and tribute at the end.  I’ll do the same for Mr. Horrocks.

The following comments are from 9-11heroes.us.  I can’t verify these stories are true but if half of them are, Michael was something more than just amazing.  He was one helluva guy.

I never came to realize how much of an impact you had, not just on your own family, but on other peoples’ lives, too. My friend and I both go to your son’s school, and he’s a real great kid. We both are unfortunate not to have met a guy like you. You didn’t only leave us with something inside, but you also changed our lives in so many ways. It’s indescribable what a great man you are. We want to thank you again, just for EVERYTHING. A lot of love and thankfulness from:

Your friends,
Kalvin Simpson and Peter Quin
May God bless

I didn’t know know Michael, but I do have the pleasure of coaching a great kid, his son, Mick. Mick, I want you to know I feel your pain. I lost my mother 27 years ago. She was way too young also. Both your father and my mother are in a good place now. I believe that, and we will see them again someday. I’ll say a prayer for you, your family, and your father, and I’m always available if you need anything. One thing, Mick, I can promise you: your father is very proud of the way you are turning into a fine young man.

Coach Robin Waite

Both Todd and I have come to observe a very tenacious, hardworking, friendly person in Mick who also happens to have some fun in the hockey locker room which from reading about your dad, it seems he liked to joke around too! Your dad was a great hero to America Mick and he would be very proud of you today. Your dad and mom and dad Paul have done an outstanding job in raising a respectful young man. Let’s get some shots from the blue line! GO LITTLE FLYERS 1995!

Todd and Vonya Womack

I just met Mr. Horrocks’ son, Mick, this weekend during a hockey tournament; he is on the same team as my son for the coming season. While never having met Mr. Horrocks, I am sure he would be proud of his son who appears to be a very nice young man, which is a tribute not only to Mr. Horrocks but to Mick’s mom and stepdad as well.

Juliet Moritz

Aaron’s notes –

I can say that reading through the tributes and comments that Mr. Horrock was a good man. A great man even.  By all accounts his son Mick was brought up in a great manner so much so to bring people to comment over and over about his quality.  Mr. Horrock was just a few years younger than my father when he was lost.  I can’t imagine losing a father in the manner Mick did.  To have taken his father’s banner in such a way to honor his own dad.

Mr. Horrock may indeed be gone from this world but his legacy in life lives on in Mick in so many different ways.  To Mick I say congratulations.  You’ve shown true character, true honor and been true to your father each day.  I can only say that your father must be damn proud of you and what you’ve done in his shadow.  I am proud of you and I don’t even know you.

Never forget your father.  Never forget what he’s taught you.  And remember him.  Pass the story of his life onto those that come after you.  You’ve done a great job so far.

James Trentini

Written September, 2006

by aaron delay

2996: We Will Never Forget

Mary Trentini’s Tribute is here.

also see: aarondelay.com archives “remember” a section I did back in 2006.

By all accounts James Trentini was a good man. Browsing through his information that is spread all over the internet I’ve come to the conclusion he was greater than just a good man. He was someone who lived life as strongly as he could and spread that strength to those around him.

James Trentini was sixty five years old and married to Mary Trentini. They lived in Everett, Massachusetts and were proud parents of four children. They family had grown in the last ten years to include four grandchildren. James Trentini (and in turn, his wife) was by all rights someone who loved his family very much. On American Airlines Flight 11 the two proud grandparents were carrying a bag full of toys and hand made clothing to deliver to their daughter�s children ages two, three and seven. Mary was skilled seamstress and took great joy in creating new clothes for her family.

They traveled a year before September 11^th to visit their daughter Patti in California. During that time they also toured the United States exploring the lay of the land. They spent winters on the coast with their son James in Florida. Even in retirement the two never really stopped moving around and exploring the world around them. They seemed to take every chance they could to see their family.

Jim was a retired high school teacher, administrator and coach. Both had retired three years previous to 2001 but were still well known in communities. Jim was a long serving coach in his school known and loved by everyone. He also was a dedicated sports fan who had a special place in his heart for football. Fishing was a close second on the list of favorites. Even after retirement Jim Trentini didn�t slow down. He constantly exercised and refused to allow age to slow him down.

The funeral for James and Mary Trentini was packed with 1,000 people in the town of Rowley, Mass. Population? 1,100. The crowd stood outside listening through windows and mourning the loss of two amazing and generous people.

James Trentini was an ordinary man by all respects. A simple father. A loving grandfather. Yet his impact on those around him is not ordinary. He left a lasting image on those that were coached through his words of wisdom. He was cheered as a respectful man full of honor. He was not ordinary. No, James Trentini showed us what it means to be someone beyond that simple little word. We honor James Trentini today because of his life, his imprint on each of us and the simple way his life changed others.

You are so much more than ordinary James Trentini. You are missed. I may have never known you. I may have never met you. But after reading what I could find about your life I feel as if you�ve given me something.

May we never forget you.

People left these comments on the website for September 11^th, 2001.Steve Harvey Jr. (and BHS football)
You coached my coach, MuGuire , who now coaches me at Burlington high. We all miss you there and there is a plaque there in honor of you, your wife, Robert Hayes, and Thomas McGuinness

Lois McCullen
In 1976, I met Jim Trentini when he came to Clinton NC to the funeral of his older brother, Tony Trentini, who was married to my sister in law, Jean McCullen Trentini. Jimmy and all the Trentini family came from Boston for that sad occasion. They were in our home much of the two days they were there. I remember him as a very outgoing and likable person. The unexpected death of his brother, Tony, who was an assistant coach at Temple University and only 45 years old then was a tragic event for the Trentini family. I believe that Tony and Jimmy had some sisters who survive them. My heart goes out to you always.

Ben Ray
Jim was my Health teacher at Burlington High School. He had an infectious, dry sense of humor that always left people feeling good when they left his class. He would often purposely call people by their wrong name. He used to call me Nicole (my sister’s name), to get a rise out of me. He taught my colleagues and I CPR and other first aid skills. More importantly though, he taught about the importance of living a clean, healthy lifestyle.

Even in his late 50’s, I often saw him jogging around the HS track or lifting weights in the gym early in the morning. He was a great guy. My heart goes out to his family.

Cathy Hofferty
As soon as I found out that Jim and Mary were on the first plane, I completely lost it. My father coached High School Football with Jim in Burlington, Massachusetts. Both of my sisters and my brother had him as their Health Teacher. He also taught my brother CPR (which my brother and a couple of his friends subsequently used to help save their supervisor’s life in a Summer Work Program offered by the Recreation Department).

Resources and Bibliography:

Tribute from MASS Retires Online

from living tributes…

from newsday…

Comments from September 11th Victims.com

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