In our early teens Al and I spent hundreds of hours fishing for pike and pickerel with white and red Daredevil lures at "The Res" just off Mill Street in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Even at age 13, he was a very deep thinker-- and very much in control of himself. The sunlight glinting on the water as we stood together allowed us to vent. Al reminded me of Roger Moore-- calculating and confident at all times. And the girls loved those hands, too.
Knowing Al as well I did, I can only venture my opinion that First Officer Alan Stitt, age 31, piloting the Dassault Falcon DA50 owned by Nabisco Brands out of Morristown Airport that collided with a Piper Archer PA28 that killed him and five others on 10 November 1985 was unavoidable. I know Al's steady thought process well enough to say that if there had been ANY way to salvage or wrest those fateful circumstances all those years ago, Al would have been able to do it. And, given the sudden randomness that befell that ill-fated vessel, I know he certainly would have spent his last thoughts trying to keep others on the ground as safe as practicable. He came from good people, and I miss his warm, knowing smile.
Fare well, friend. Life (and death) happens in a split second. But good people build a home in your heart.
As Lee said Alan was the COOL one, always in control, and the girls loved you I will miss the good times at your parties ( when your parents were away) the times we all shared at the cape. The sad day of your death in the clouds flying high and doing what you always dreamed of , a pilot. . I know now you would be the captain of a 747 cruising to the Bahamas or one of the islands . I remember the free periods we all spent in the parking lot, at the diner for breakfast .\ We will always miss, That COOL guy in his leather jacket .
As Walter related Al was studying to be an airline pilot. After he graduated from our Alma Marta Middlesex Community College Al transferred into Clark University in Worcester to pursue his dream of flying! All though Lex High and MCC we had, a lot fun and partied a lot, Al will be missed.
Walter Pennell
Al Stitt was a good friend and dreamed of being a pilot
Dick Beebe was a well know writer, Hollywood director
Paul Zeller had a great smille and a warm heart
and Bob Taken (Thunder) was a great musician who also passed away ,
To my very dear friends, we had it all
I miss you every day of my life
Walter Pennell
R Lee Richan
In our early teens Al and I spent hundreds of hours fishing for pike and pickerel with white and red Daredevil lures at "The Res" just off Mill Street in Lincoln, Massachusetts. Even at age 13, he was a very deep thinker-- and very much in control of himself. The sunlight glinting on the water as we stood together allowed us to vent. Al reminded me of Roger Moore-- calculating and confident at all times. And the girls loved those hands, too.
Knowing Al as well I did, I can only venture my opinion that First Officer Alan Stitt, age 31, piloting the Dassault Falcon DA50 owned by Nabisco Brands out of Morristown Airport that collided with a Piper Archer PA28 that killed him and five others on 10 November 1985 was unavoidable. I know Al's steady thought process well enough to say that if there had been ANY way to salvage or wrest those fateful circumstances all those years ago, Al would have been able to do it. And, given the sudden randomness that befell that ill-fated vessel, I know he certainly would have spent his last thoughts trying to keep others on the ground as safe as practicable. He came from good people, and I miss his warm, knowing smile.
Fare well, friend. Life (and death) happens in a split second. But good people build a home in your heart.
Lee Richan
Salem, Utah
June 2012
Walter Pennell
As Lee said Alan was the COOL one, always in control, and the girls loved you I will miss the good times at your parties ( when your parents were away) the times we all shared at the cape. The sad day of your death in the clouds flying high and doing what you always dreamed of , a pilot. . I know now you would be the captain of a 747 cruising to the Bahamas or one of the islands . I remember the free periods we all spent in the parking lot, at the diner for breakfast .\ We will always miss, That COOL guy in his leather jacket .
Whip
James MacDonald
As Walter related Al was studying to be an airline pilot. After he graduated from our Alma Marta Middlesex Community College Al transferred into Clark University in Worcester to pursue his dream of flying! All though Lex High andMCC we had, a lot fun and partied a lot, Al will be missed.