Schuylkill County sister recalls loss of brother on 9/11: 'What I remember is what I'm reading in books today'

Sep. 11—SCHUYLKILL HAVEN — It's been 22 years, but Joan Koslosky's desire to never forget her brother hasn't wavered.

She shared Michael D. Ferugio's story with 31 seniors at the Schuylkill Haven Senior Community Center here on Monday, donning patriotic colors, as many others did, to mark the anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.

That morning, Ferugio, a 37-year-old insurance broker and native of Palo Alto, attended an Aon Corp. meeting on the 105th floor of the south tower of the World Trade Center, Koslosky said.

After hearing of the attacks and turning on the TV in the Pottsville Area D.H.H. Lengel Middle School library, where she worked at the time, Koslosky said she "just knew" her brother died in the wreckage.

"I don't know why — people think I'm nuts, but Mike and I had an affinity," she said. "And I just knew; I knew he was in it."

Michael's wife, Susan Ferugio, waited several days to break the news to Koslosky, her sister, Gayle Sleva, and their mother, with Koslosky noting "she wasn't sure of how my mom would react." During those days, Koslosky's daughter, Michelle M. Koslosky, took to the New York streets and hospitals in search of her uncle.

Joan Koslosky's husband, Allen Buehner, also attended Monday's event. He said he initially thought Ferugio wasn't at ground zero in the attack.

"I thought he was probably on a golf course," Buehner said. "Because that's usually how he did his business ... he'd be out golfing with clients or something."

Except Ferugio wasn't, and sometimes, Koslosky said, she wishes her brother would have owned up to his reputation of tardiness and showed up late to work that day.

It isn't just the anniversary days that are difficult, Koslosky told the gathering.

"I wasn't sure I wanted to (speak) because sometimes the tears just start," she said, "for no reason whatsoever."

Still, attending 9/11 remembrance events relieves her fears that he might be forgotten.

"I don't know why I worried about Mike not being remembered," Koslosky said. "He has so many good friends — friends that constantly on this date will call or will send messages."

Koslosky said her brother was loved by everyone.

The Penn State Capital College Alumni Magazine reported that 800 people attended a memorial Mass for Michael Ferugio in winter 2002.

More recently, in 2021, on the 20th anniversary of the attacks, his hometown held a remembrance event at the monument that had been dedicated to him in 2004. Ferugio's godson, Dominic Michael LaSelva — one of several children Koslosky said is named after her brother — spoke about him.

Koslosky also shared that there are two scholarships in Ferugio's name, awarded to Penn State students, at the New York City chapter.

Ferugio's passing also still troubles Buehner, who choked up during his interview, talking about a bike ride he takes the first Sunday of each May in honor of his brother-in-law.

The goal of sharing Ferugio's story isn't just to talk about him, but to continue to remember and preserve history for both younger and older generations, Koslosky said. Buehner compared it to how their generation is less familiar with significant historical events that occurred around their lifetime.

"When people our age (were born), Pearl Harbor had happened, and World War II happened," he said. "I don't remember because I was born in '52."

Koslosky agreed, saying, "What I remember is what I'm reading in books today."

Across Schuylkill County on Monday, senior community centers commemorated 9/11, sharing personal stories like Koslosky's, according to Debbie Herb, Diakon coordinator of senior services.

When Herb asked Koslosky to speak at the center, she said she initially questioned how the community could forget an event they lived through.

"But I realized they could," Herb said.

Through events like these, Herb said she hopes it sparks memories and brings about a sense of community, knowing that "people hurt every day."

"It's always good to remember, it's always good to gather together," she said. "I don't want my seniors to be alone if they're thinking of these things."