Memories of Ezra Aviles
Childhood friend: 'Ezra is in God's presence'
I knew Ezra growing up in Rockaway Beach. We were next-door neighbors in Hammels. He lived in Apt 4D and I lived in Apt 4E. We both grew in strict households. He had an older brother Gilbert who was in the Navy or Coast Guard and three sisters. The oldest was Margie, then Violeta who was mentally handicapped and Evelyn - who was the family rebel. All were older than me but I admired the older girls.
Their parents were strict and old fashioned. The father was a tall, handsome and debonair man who played guitar. He used to make up songs and actually would sing one to me in Spanish – “Maria Cristina en la cocina”. That meant I was in the kitchen. I used to hate that song because my name is Cristina Maria and because it was true - I was in the kitchen cleaning all the time.
I remember Ezra as a lot more mild mannered than his older siblings. He would come over and talk to us a lot because it seems we were always grounded for one thing or another. We lost touch as we became older and moved on. I was in Oro Valley, a suburb of Tucson, Ariz. and getting ready for work very early that fateful morning. I was watching the early news on TV as that fateful day's events unfolded and spent the entire day calling my family and friends back home.
Growing up in Hammels, we could see the Manhattan skyline from across Jamaica Bay. Most kids growing up aspired to similar things - being a cop, being a fireman, being in fashion or working in Manhattan. On September 19, 2001 a friend of mine sent me a newspaper from Connecticut that listed an initial release of names. There near the top was Ezra Aviles. I broke down and cried. I wept for the boy I grew up with, for the man I never knew, for his family, and for the memories of growing up in Rockaway when times were hard but much less evil.
Ezra had a Christian upbringing and I believe that influence resulted in the wonderful things I have read about him. I know Ezra is in God's presence. I pray that I can somehow make contact with his family.
Cristina M. DiMurro, Oro Valley, Ariz.
Former coworker: 'Never was a dull moment'
I remember Ezra as a science teacher at Jackie Robinson IS320 in Brooklyn.
He was a great friend and fellow worker. There never was a dull moment with him.
Norman Sorensen, Brooklyn
Back in the 80s, Ezra and I were not only neighbors in Howard Beach, but we taught together in Brooklyn. We drove to work daily together and got to know each other pretty well. Ezra was instrumental in both of us becoming scuba divers. We got certified and dove together before he and Millie started a family and moved to Commack.
I was devastated upon learning of his passing and had a memorial brick dedicated to him installed in our Village Green here in East Quogue. As I walk past it about four to five times a week, I always acknowledge my dear, dear friend with a "hello."
As I write this, the tears and emotions that I thought I had under control, have returned once again. I truly hope his family is healthy and remembers him with a special smile, as I do daily.
Until we meet again dear Ezra, with love and deep respect,
Joe Haimson, East Quogue
