James Trentini
Written September, 2006
by aaron delay
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 11th 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 11th, 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
Comments from September 11th Victims.com
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Thank you for the awesome tribute. Mine is up already, too. I remember James Edward Potorti. Never forget. . .