Williston Park, New York
Eyes on the Prizes
Peter J. Owens Jr. coached Little League baseball and his nickname was Send 'Em Home Owens. Whenever one of his players reached third base, no matter what was happening on the rest of the field, Mr. Owens would urge a dash to home plate. "Don't listen! Don't run!" parents would scream. "But Pete would send 'em home," recalled his wife, Kathleen, laughing.
While competitive and outgoing, Mr. Owens could also spend hours fly fishing alone on the Connetquot River, not too far from the Owenses' home in Williston Park, N.Y., on Long Island. He had nearly a dozen fishing rods and was learning how to tie flies.
Mr. Owens, who was 42, thought himself lucky, and so did his wife and their children, Joseph, 22, Thomas, 15, and Maryellen, 13. On their honeymoon in Aruba, Mrs. Owens lost her $50 stake in minutes at the casino, while Mr. Owens over a few hours nursed his stake into hundreds of dollars. As a boy, Mr. Owens won a prize for catching the biggest fish. And a few years ago, at a town fair, he won best vegetable for growing an almost 100-pound pumpkin.
"He was so proud," Mrs. Owens recalled. "But really, he only beat out a tomato."
I didn't know Peter myself, but I was in his daughter's 7th grade class when the towers fell on 9/11 and I will always remember that. He helped raise amazing kids, so I know he must have been pretty great. His wife reminded me of Martha Stewart, she was a devoted and involved parent. Rest in peace.
Jessamine
September 11, 2025 | NY
I wasn't alive when you died, but every year for the last decade I've heard this voice around September telling me to go through the names and find out if anyone shared my last name. Honestly I was surprised to find out there was one person who shared my last name. Peter, I pray that you are in a better place, looking down on and protecting your family. To Peter's family - our name, Owens, means noble, young warrior. And even though I don't know what he was like, I can only imagine he...
Aryanna Owens
September 12, 2023 | Other
I didn´t know Peter Owens, but wanted to honor an individual today. I randomly chose Peter´s name from the memorial list. My condolences to his family and friends. I´m sure he touched many lives, and I enjoyed reading about his enthusiasm for coaching, and his giant pumpkin! Gone too soon - Rest In Peace Mr. Owens.
Anne Lambert
September 11, 2023 | Other
20th Anniversary coming up. Rest in peace
Bonnie E Fetzer
May 12, 2021
To other people Peter might just be another name in a book somewhere that. His name might be lost in the sea of other people that lost their lives on this day 19 years ago. But each and every person that lost their lives that day should be remembered, inducing Peter. He was a man among many but his life matters to you, so remember him and make sure he is never forgotten.
Connor T. Pianalto
September 11, 2020 | Friend
Hi, My name is Chris Owens, I am from Alabama and a retired US Army Paratrooper. I work at 4 World Trade Center in the Security division. Perhaps we are not directly related but when I saw Peter's name and my own last name behind it, it reminded me why I moved all the way from Alabama to work her in NYC. With everything I do, I keep Peter and all those who were lost that day near to my heart. Never Again...Not on my watch!
Christopher Owens
January 08, 2020 | North Bergen, NJ
Never forgotten and always in my prayers. Love to Kathy and the rest of Peter's family.
Eileen Petrucci
September 11, 2019 | Locust Valley, NY | Classmate
In memory of 9/11 victim Peter Owens.....
September 10, 2019
Never Forgotten.. Signed: An email friend of John.. The family is forever in my prayers.
Nancy Carson
September 10, 2019 | McKinney, TX | Acquaintance