St. Catharines commemorates 25th anniversary of 9/11, honours Canadians killed, survivors, first responders

Nine new trees planted on 9/11 Memorial Trail and park; species significant to attack locations, National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City

St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe, U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt, St. Catharines MP Chris Bittle and St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens today remembered and honoured the 24 Canadians killed and three U.S. citizens with family in Canada in the 9/11 attacks, survivors, and first responders with nine new trees planted on the 9/11 Memorial Trail and throughout the rest of the park in St. Catharines during a 25th Anniversary Commemoration event.

“As we mark the passing of a quarter-century, the grief and the heroism of September 11, 2001, remain in our hearts,” St. Catharines Mayor Mat Siscoe said. “By planting these nine trees along our 9/11 Memorial Trail and throughout the park, we honour the precious Canadian lives taken that day, embrace the resilience of the survivors, and salute the unwavering bravery of the first responders. May these branches offer shade for reflection and a lasting symbol of hope for future generations.”

Two decades ago, the 9/11 Memorial Trail was dedicated at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm at the end of Read Road along the upper gravel path. There, a Canadian flag permanently flies at half-mast near benches and a tree, marked “Tree of Peace.” Flanking each side of the gravel memorial trail are trees planted in memory of each Canadian killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. Each tree’s plaque honours a Canadian killed on 9/11, listing their name, age, birthplace, and where they died that day.

"September 11, 2001, was not just a tragedy for the United States, but for so many people around the world, including 24 Canadians who lost their lives that day,” U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt said. “As I join Mayor Siscoe and the people of St. Catharines to mark this 25th anniversary here at the 9/11 Memorial Trail in St. Catharines, I am honored to reaffirm our commitment to never forget those lives lost and the extraordinary courage of the survivors and first responders who ran toward danger to save friends, neighbors and strangers. These nine new trees, native to the Niagara Region, standing alongside those planted more than two decades ago, are a living testament to the grief and enduring resilience of this community. Thank you, St. Catharines.”

The City’s new tree planting extends its remembrance and honour beyond the Canadians killed in the 9/11 attacks to survivors and first responders. Plaques installed on the trees will read, “In memory of all who lost their lives, and in honour of the courage of survivors and responders / Dedicated on the 25th anniversary of September 11, 2001,” and will note each trees species’ name in English and in Latin.

“Our team takes immense pride in caring for the 9/11 Memorial Trail and expanding it for the 25th anniversary is a deeply meaningful milestone for all of us,” City Development Horticultural Technician Mike Kraft said. “Each tree, alongside its commemorative plaque, stands as a permanent tribute to honour the fallen, the survivors and the brave first responders. Trees have a unique way of healing landscapes and people alike, and we are dedicated to nurturing this sacred space so visitors can find a sense of peace beneath their branches.”

Kraft said City staff tree species’ selection reflects the significance of the locations of the 9/11 attacks, and of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City. All trees are also native to Niagara Region and were planted by City contractor, Phillips Tree Farm.

The nine new tree plantings are:

• Swamp white oak is the predominant species planted as part of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City.
• Sugar maple is the state tree of New York, and the maple is Canada’s national tree.
• Eastern hemlock is the state tree of Pennsylvania.
• Flowering dogwood is the state tree of Virginia.
• Allegheny serviceberry and Eastern redbud are native to the eastern U.S. and Canada and are flowering understory trees that will complement the existing trees on the memorial trail.

Canadians and Americans with family living in Canada killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks

There were 24 Canadians, including 19 men and five women ranging in age from 29 to 70, killed in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. There were also three Americans, ages 36, 39 and 53, with family in Canada killed in the attacks.

Trees along the 9/11 Memorial Trail at Happy Rolph’s Animal Farm in St. Catharines memorialize the 24 Canadians and three Americans with family in Canada killed in the 9/11 attacks. Each memorial tree’s plaque lists their name, age, birthplace, and where they died that day.

Michael Arczynski, 45. Born in Brampton, Ont. Lived in Vancouver, B.C. Relocated to Little Silver, N.J. Worked on the 104th Floor of the South Tower.

Garnet (Ace) Bailey, 53. Born in Lloydminster, Sask. Lived in Edmonton, Alta. Relocated to Lynnfield, Mass. On board United Airlines Flight 175, which crashed into the South Tower.

David Barkway, 34. Born in Ottawa, Ont. Lived in Toronto, Ont. Visiting clients on the 105 Floor of the North Tower.

Kenneth (Ken) Basnicki, 48. Born and lived in Toronto, Ont. Attending a conference on the 106th Floor of the North Tower.

Joseph Collison, 50. Born in Toronto, Ont. Relocated to New York, N.Y. Worked on the 102nd Floor of the North Tower.

Cynthia Connolly, 40. Born and lived in Montreal, Que. Relocated to Metuchen, N.J. Worked on the 104th Floor of the South Tower.

Caleb Arron Dack, 39. Born in England. Lived in Toronto, Ont. Attending a trade show in the North Tower.

Christine Egan, 55. Born in Hull, England. Lived in Winnipeg, MB. Visiting her brother Michael Egan on the 100th Floor of the South Tower.

Michael Egan, 51. Born in Hull, England. Lived in Montreal, Que. Relocated to Middletown, N.J. Worked and visited by his sister Christine Egan on the 100th Floor of the South Tower.

Albert Alfy William Elmarry, 30. Born in Cairo, Egypt. Lived in Toronto, Ont. Relocated to Edison and North Brunswick, N.J. Worked on the 105th Floor of the North Tower.

Meredith Ewart, 29. Born and lived in Montreal, Que. Relocated to Hoboken, N.J. Worked with her husband Peter Feidelberg on the 104th Floor of the South Tower.

Peter Feidelberg, 34. Born in Montreal, Que. Relocated to Hoboken, N.J. Worked with his wife Meredith Ewart on the 104th Floor of the South Tower.

Alexander Filipov, 70. Born in Regina, Sask. Grew up in Windsor, Ont. Lived in Concord, Mass. for more than 40 years. On board American Flight 11, which crashed into the North Tower.

Ralph Gerhardt, 34. Born and lived in Toronto, Ont. Relocated to New York, N.Y. Worked on the 105th Floor of the North Tower.

Soo-Jin (Stuart) Lee, 30. Born in Korea. Lived in Vancouver, B.C. Relocated to New York, N.Y. Attending a conference on the 106th Floor of the North Tower.

Mark Ludvigsen, 32, Rothesay, N.B. Lived in New York, N.Y. Worked on the 89th Floor of the South Tower.

Bernard Mascarenhas, 54. Born in Karachi, Pakistan. Lived in Newmarket, Ont. Visiting the 97th Floor of the North Tower.

Colin McArthur, 52. Born in Glasgow, Scotland. Lived in Toronto, Ont., then Montreal, Que. Relocated to the U.S. Worked on the 100th Floor of the South Tower.

Michel (Michael) “Mike” Pelletier, 36. Born in Winnipeg, MB. Lived in Montreal, Que. and Calgary, Alta. Relocated to Greenwich, Conn. Worked on the 105th Floor of the South Tower.

Donald Robson, 52. Born and lived in Toronto, Ont. Relocated to Long Island, N.Y. Worked on the 103rd Floor of the North Tower.

Rufino (Roy) Conrado F. Santos, 37. Born in Manila, Philippines. Lived in Vancouver, B.C. Relocated to New York, N.Y. Worked on the 94th Floor of the North Tower.

Vladimir Tomasevic, 36. Born in Yugoslavia. Lived in Toronto, Ont. Attending a conference on the 106th Floor of the North Tower.

Chantal (Chanti) Vincelli, 38. Born in Montreal, Que. Relocated to New York, N.Y. Setting up a conference booth on the 106th Floor of the North Tower.

Debbie Williams, 35. Born in Montreal, Que. Relocated to Hoboken, N.J. Worked on the 105th Floor of the South Tower.

Three memorial trees honour U.S. citizens with Canadian families:

LeRoy Homer, 36. Born in Plainview. N.Y. Co-pilot on United Airlines Flight 93 that crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa. Family in Hamilton, Ont.

Frank Joseph Doyle, 39. Born in Detroit, Mich. Lived in Englewood, N.J. Worked on the 89th Floor of the South Tower. Family in St. Adele, Que.

Jane Beatty, 53. Born on Isle of Man, Scotland. Relocated from Toronto, Ont. to Belford, N.J. Worked on the 96th Floor of the North Tower. Family in Toronto, Ont.