Shawn Nassaney Memorial Race continues at Bryant University
By Bianca Buono
Bbuono@abc6.com
@BBuonoABC6
On Sunday, the nation will come together on the 15th anniversary of the horrific 9/11 terrorist attacks. But on Saturday, a local family whose lives were forever changed that day remembered one of their own.
Pawtucket-native Shawn Nassaney was just 25 years old when he boarded United flight 175 15 years ago on September 11th. He was on his way to Hawaii with his girlfriend Lynn Goodchild but their plane never made it. It crashed into the south tower of the World Trade Center.
"There are times certain images of 911 particularly the images of the second plane approaching the tower because Shawn was on the second. So that can become emotional,” said Shawn’s father Patrick Nassaney.
Shawn’s father Patrick is still trying to cope with his tremendous loss.
"I think you go through stages and I think as time passes everybody mourns differently but you get more private as time goes by and you get more reflective,” Nassaney said.
Part of the healing process for the Nassaney family is the 5K race held in Shawn’s name. Hundreds of runners gather in support every year in the place Shawn used to call home. He was a track and cross-country runner at Bryant University.
"He’s well-known from all his friends and teammates for his big grin. He always had a big grin on his face,” Nassaney said.
Fifteen years later, Patrick says there’s no doubt his son is still with him.
"To put it into words he’s not forgotten,” Nassaney said.
The Nassaney family, along with the families of other Rhode Islanders who were killed in the attacks, will come together Sunday morning at the state house for a memorial.
© WLNE-TV 2016
