Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Richard Penny Obituary
Even during the 10 years he was homeless, Richard A. Penny loved to work. Even when he slept on a Harlem shelter cot, or dozed upright near Grand Central Terminal, he still rose to polish the brass at St. James' Church, scrub floors or sweep city streets. Three years ago, he found a steady job in the World Trade Center recycling program, now run by Project Renewal, and rented a room in Brooklyn.
"He totally went against all the stereotypes of homeless folks," said Jon Bunge, a caseworker with Project Hope, another of the social service agencies that found work for the "soft-spoken, incredibly thorough" man who listed his best quality as his love of learning.
Mr. Penny, who was 53, told his story as a fall from grace. An only child, he was the 1966 valedictorian of Metropolitan High School. He married young, had a son and worked as a communications craftsman for AT&T for seven years.
Then heroin and a 1975 robbery conviction swept it all away. After 14 months in prison, Mr. Penny retreated to his parents' Brooklyn brownstone. But they died, he was evicted and eventually he lost his metalworking job.
The hard climb from homelessness led to the upper floors of the twin towers, where he was collecting paper on Sept. 11. His memorial service drew more than 100 people. "We loved him," Mr. Bunge said.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
S.J. Friscia III
May 17, 2017
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
Sherry Everett
September 11, 2016
Thoughts of you along with all the others today.
Kathy
September 9, 2016
In Remembrance!
September 11, 2014
In 2001 I saved the profile of Mr. Penny that appeared in the New York Times. I still have the profile and read it each 9/11. It saddens me but, at the same time, inspires me greatly. Rest in Peace Mr. Penny. Jerry O
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Cynthia Phillips Alston
September 11, 2013
Still in my thoughts and prayers... on this day...
Auntie Trina
September 11, 2012
To Richard Penny Jr,
as you know, I've spoken to you every Sept 11th since the tragedy. I always want you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and the family. This 9/11, I was unable to reach you and give you a spiritual hug. I started surfing for a picture of "Big" Richard and found this site.
Im so touched by those who expressed their condolences and honored Richard's memory. Your story and his life has effected folk in profound ways...ways that we may never fully realize nor understand. Your father's light shines brightly, even after death. His legacy shall live on thru you, his grandchildren and great grandchildren. When I look upon the man you have become, I know he is smiling...when I hear all the great reports about your children, I know he is smiling. when I see your handsome face smiling with happiness, I know that he is also smiling...that same bright smile
I want you to know that I thought of you, as I often do. I send my love and prayers to you and the family...and know that I still remember and will never forget "Big" Richard.
I love you "little" nephew`
September 9, 2011
Mr. Penny,
I have known your son for over twenty five years as we played High School Football together. He has grown to be a very sharp and God fearing man. You would be very proud of him and his family. Richy Rich's Dad, continue to rest in the Father's loving arms.
God Bless & Respectfully,
Marc Watson
Laurie Spencer
September 4, 2011
From mid-1999 to mid-2000, I worked on the 82nd Floor of One World Trade Center. They'd given us these blue wastebaskets for paper to be recycled, and since I worked with contract documents, I always had a lot of paper due to revisions, etc.
Every few days, this man would come by with a larger container, saying, "Recycling, recycling", to alert us to empty our baskets into his. I always said hello to him and wished him a good day, and at first he seemed sort of surprised that someone would speak to him, and he would avert his eyes and say nothing. He seemed to be just a shy sort of man, but I kept saying hello each time I saw him, and eventually he started to respond with "You have a good day, too" or some similar response. I did not know his name or anything about him--he was simply a part of my world on 82.
In July of 2000, I transferred to a job in another department and relocated to the 72nd floor, and did not see that recycling man again.
The time that I worked on 82 was also a time of personal turmoil in my own life. My marriage was ending, and my father died suddenly. My memories of 82 are of those painful personal experiences mixed with the amazing view of Manhattan I had from the north side, where I sat, and the small details of the everyday work life that was the backdrop for everything else. In my mind's eye, I can see my desk there, my files, and the people I worked with on that floor, a few of whom would not make it out of the building on that terrible day a year later. One of those small everyday details was the recycling man with the shy smile.
I was at our cafeteria on 43 when AA11 slammed into us. I got out of the building a few minutes after Two was hit. In the weeks following, I learned I'd lost 84 coworkers, as well as others I knew from those everyday details of working in the World Trade Center--the cop I'd greet in the morning by the Coffee Station shop on the Concourse, the security guard at the West Street entrance--and the recycling man from up on 82. From a NY Times article, I learned his name and his story.
For some reason I thought of him today as the tenth anniversary approaches, and I decided to do a Google Search, which lead me to this site. And so to his son and his family, I just want you to know that I remember Richard Penny. For a brief time, he was a part of my life at the World Trade Center and will always remain in a certain time and place in my memory.
Peace be with you.
September 2, 2011
YOU ARE THE TRUE AMERICAN THAT NEVER GAVE UP. RIP MY FRIEND
Richard Penny
September 11, 2009
Note to my Dad:
I am thinking about you today as I often do. Today is a little different though because it's 9/11. I still ask myself what if I could have found you sooner. Then you could have shared all those moments with me that we should have had together. I missed you at the twins graduation last May where your grandson was the valedictorian of his class like you were. He mentioned you in his speech Dad. I think about all the things I wish I could have shared with you vacations, ball games,my wife and kids that you never had the chance to meet. I tell them about you though and they know you through my words. When we took the twins to college this year, I told them how you would have really liked walking on the campus' and sitting thru the orientations. Dad one of them got into Yale and the other is at Georgia Southern U and they are doing great! I sure could have used your help on the move in days. I just wanted to take a moment and let you know that your not forgotten and that we are doing good. We all miss you and love you...especially me!
Annie Paige
August 7, 2007
May God bless Mr. Penny. I just discovered this memorial on-line, and Mr Penny's entry touched me deeply. My condolences to his son Richard. Your father is your special angel in heaven now. May Mr. Penny know peace and love in his eternal home of heaven. May the struggles he conquered in life, help him to know greater joy in heaven. His story is an inspiration to all of us who read it.
Annie Paige
August 7, 2007
May God bless Mr. Penny. I just discovered this memorial on-line, and Mr Penny's entry touched me deeply. My condolences to his son Richard. Your father is your special angel in heaven now. May Mr. Penny know peace and love in his eternal home of heaven. May the struggles he conquered in life, help him to know greater joy in heaven. His story is an inspiration to all of us who read it.
Jerry and Shanita Jones
February 27, 2007
We are sorry to hear of the loss of Richard. It seems that he was a hard working man. Life throws many things our way but the way we react to them tells anyone a lot about our character. The bible makes a statement about men like Richard. At Ecclesiastes 9:11 it tells us that " time and unforseen occurrence befall us all." Every person goes through hardships but Richard did not let hardships go through him. He is to be commended for his attitude. We send our condolences out to his family and friends.
P Tabbernor
January 29, 2007
In remembrance....
Kristine
November 29, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
Trish Creciun
August 28, 2003
I worked with Richard's son, Richard for approximately one year. We talked about his father over dinner one night not too long after September 11th. My heart broke to hear Richard talk of his loss. September 11th became even more real to me as I was sitting with someone that had lost a loved one in the disaster. Richard, I think of you often and will always remember our chat over dinner at Timpano's. Hope you are keeping well. You told me that the hardest part was that you were never able to tell him what was in your heart and how much you loved him. Keep talking, Richard, your father hears every single word. Love, Trish x
Cynthia Phillips Alston
November 12, 2002
I have not seen or heard anything from my cousin Richard in many years. My heart is so sadden. I just happen to be looking through the victims names and saw yours. All this time I had not seen your name. You were my family and we loved you. I havent heard from your son Richard Jr in many years . If by chance you known how to reach him please ask him to email me at [email protected]
I am so happy to know you finally had gotten your life together. And for the record, your son loved you so much and did try to find you...
Much LOVE
Jerry O'Connell
August 25, 2002
Mr. Penny's Portrait of Grief hangs on the wall of my office where it servs as a daily inspiration to me. I believe his story was not a "fall from grace" but, rather a triumph of the human spirit.
Paul Thompson
May 30, 2002
Mr. Penny's story has inspired me and the clients of the HOPE Program. It would have been an honor to know him.
Paul Thompson
The HOPE Program
Angie Campbell
May 9, 2002
May God Bless you and may you rest in peace forever more.
March 23, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL MAN ..RICHARD A.PENNY..MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK FOREVER...MAY JESUS AND HIS PARENTS GREET HIM AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN....AMEN
Marilyn Martin
December 30, 2001
I was touched by the New York Times story of Mr. Penny's discovery by his son, Richard Jr., only through his death and by Mr. Penny's early promise, then failure, and finally his earning of a measure of respect through his job at the World Trade Center. How sad that he could not have known the love of his son for all these years--and that his son could not have known him. I have selected Richard Penny's name to wear through the Mercy BAND project, and he and his son will be in my thoughts and prayers every day.
Richard, here is a blessing my mother gave me every time we left one another: "May your guardian angel watch over you, keep you from all harm and danger, and bring you safely home." I pray that in the loving arms of God you have finally found a safe home, along with the love and acceptance you sought all your lifeage I am now.
With affection and remembrance,
Marilyn (also age 53)
December 20, 2001
I read about Mr. Penny's story, and I wanted to tell his family that he was an inspirational and good man. Although he never was able to find his son, I'm sure now he watches over him and his family every day. I'm sorry for your loss.
Teresa Jahn
December 16, 2001
We are very sorry for your loss of Richard. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Karla Jess
October 27, 2001
I read your son's story online and looked for your name. Rest high on the mountain, and God bless your son and his family.
Showing 1 - 26 of 26 results
Make a Donation
in Richard Penny's name
How to support Richard's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Richard Penny's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored