September 11, 2025 — PEF leaders, members, and staff honored the memories of the 34 union members who were killed in the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, in New York City, observing a moment of silence and reading off each of the names.
“Today, we join with our fellow Americans to honor their memory with a moment of silence, a tribute to lives cut short but never forgotten,” said President Wayne Spence. “The attacks were meant to break our spirit, weaken our values, and shake our democracy. I think they failed. Instead, it brought us together.”
President Spence said in the days and months that followed, PEF stood shoulder to shoulder with members and their families, helping them face unimaginable grief while navigating painful challenges with benefits, insurance, and support.
“There were no bodies, sometimes for months,” he said. “No one should have to worry about being able to pay their bills while dealing with this grief. PEF staff and Membership Benefits Program mobilized to help our members’ families.”
The union holds a ceremony each year at a memorial wall inscribed with the names of those who died that day or in the ensuing years from sicknesses related to the falling towers. Most of the PEF members who died were from the Department of Taxation and Finance and two members were from other agencies. This year, Secretary-Treasurer Joe Donahue, and Vice Presidents Randi DiAntonio, Bruce Giddings, and Darlene Williams had the solemn task of reading the names.
“The years may pass, but our memories endure,” said President Spence. “We will never forget.”
The 34 PEF members who died on Sept. 11, 2001:
Ignatius Adanga
Jeremiah Ahern
Japhet Aryee
Steven Berger
Eli Chalouh
James Domanico
Sareve Dukat
Clyde Frazier Jr.
Dianne Gladstone
Yan Z (Cindy) Guan
Neil Lie
Chow Lam
Myoung Lee
Paul Lee
Stephen Lefkowitz
Charles Lesperance
Tyrone May
Robert Miller
Richard Miuccio
Oscar Nesbitt
Michael Ou
Salvatore Papasso
Diane Parsons
Dennis Pierce
Gerard Rauzi
Rose Riso
Jon Schlissel
See Wong Shum
Barry Simowitz
Yesh Tembe
Diane Urban
Sankara Velamuri
Yuk Ping Wong