Peter Gay’s tribute overlooking Onset Bay – Wicked Local
ONSET – It’s a granite bench, made to last.
As is its tribute to Peter A. Gay, 54, who was killed in the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the nation.
It’s chiseled into the solid granite:
In Memory Of
Peter A. Gay
Dec. 16, 1946 Sept. 11, 2001
And its message is visible to those who drive by or who are fortunate enough to have a moment for a peaceful stroll along the scenic route overlooking the Bay: “Take Time To Sit By The Sea.”
It’s 20 years since the attack – a generation – and it’s been almost as long since the bench was dedicated to the Raytheon executive.
His colleagues at Raytheon chipped in for the granite memorial. Though Peter was living in Tewskbury and was a Taunton native, they recalled his avowed affection for Onset where his family annually spent the summers when he was growing up.
In 2001, Peter was hard at work developing a new Raytheon plant in California, which was going to produce the company’s next generation of Patriot missiles.
For almost six months, that meant his weekly commute was a cross-continental plane ride from Logan to Los Angeles. It was a tough routine but he was due to retire the next year.
Peter would take a Monday morning flight and then return Friday to spend the weekend with his wife, Linda, and their 7-year-old daughter, Larissa Lynn, at their Tewsksbury home.
Peter decided to stretch his stay and enjoy an extra day with his family on this weekend in early September.
He enjoyed Monday, Sept. 10, 2001, at home, and did some gardening.
On Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001, Peter boarded American Airlines Flight 11 a little after 8 a.m.
Less than an hour later Peter and 91 other passengers were the first to be killed in the 9/11 attacks when their plane was crashed into the World Trade Centers’ 110-story north tower.
That was 20 years ago – a generation.
But the tribute – and the message – remain carved in granite overlooking Onset Bay.
And they’re made to last.