Times Union - Section: CAPITAL REGION Page: D3

Sunday, December 2, 2001

SIENA REMEMBERS 2 KILLED ON SEPT. 11

ERIKA GROFF Staff writer

More than 200 people gathered Saturday at Siena College for a memorial Mass and rugby game to honor Michael Taddonio and Terence McShane, two Siena alumni who died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.

The two men attended the Loudonville college in the 1980s, where both were members of the rugby team. Taddonio, 39, was a 1984 graduate employed by Eurobrokers. McShane, 37, died working for Brooklyn Firehouse, Ladder 101. He graduated from Siena in 1986 and had been a New York City police sergeant for 12 years.

"Hope has vision that sees over the horizon,'' said the Rev. Kevin Tortorelli as he presided over the morning Mass. "It does not disappoint.'' Friends and classmates paid tribute to the two men by sharing memories of their college days.

"Terry personified the Siena values of respecting the dignity of each individual and working to create a better society,'' said Ed Gentner of Manhattan, who attended Siena with McShane.

Terrence McMahon, a 1983 graduate, eulogized Taddonio, whose nickname was "Cool.'' He spoke about the gleam in Taddonio's eye and the ways in which he lived life to the fullest, including a spur-of-the-moment trip to Aruba. After the Mass at St. Mary of the Angels Chapel, attendees were encouraged to support the Siena Rugby Alumni Memorial Scholarship Fund. The fund, established in honor of McShane and Taddonio, will provide two scholarships of $3,000 annually to two Siena rugby players. The scholarship will go to the children of Taddonio and McShane, each of whom had three, should they decide to attend Siena.

Later in the afternoon, alumni from Siena rugby teams defeated the present rugby team, 38-22.