John M. Rigo
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Tributes
Rest in peace God will protect you in heaven
Janani here , Friend
Feb 8 2024 8:11AM
Hello John M Rigo. I pray to you Peace and May God Give you Special Place in Heaven with All 9/11 Victims. I'm just 19 year old from india and was research and watching about 9/11 and on the Memorial stone your name Showed up in photo. So i searched your name and found out about this website. Many Wonderful people have leave messages as I'm too. Hope you see this message from heaven and please bless and watch on us with your kind soul. And John Rigo Family or friends if you find this message inappropriate please forgive me.
Riyaz Shaikh , Friend
Oct 23 2023 11:41PM
I went to the College of St. Catherine and served on the All College Council with John. There were many activities and events that I know John from. I just discovered today that he was killed on 9/11. I am so sorry. He was a great classmate. My condolences. Katherine Flynn, College Of St. Catherine, 1975
Katherine Flynn, Friend
Jul 25 2023 1:00AM
Thinking of you on another anniversary. Still missing your humor and smile.
Nancy, Friend
Sep 11 2022 11:32AM
John, I have such fond memories of our meetings at IBM. I immediately think of you every time I see something about 9/11. Your laughter and good-hearted jokes will remain with me forever. Rest In Peace my friend. Ann
Ann Grote, Colleague
Sep 11 2022 2:41PM
John, Can’t believe you have been gone for twenty years. I miss your wonderful sense of humor and hearing you say…John Rigo here! You were the consummate claims professional. I miss you and think of you often.
Joan Schaeffer, Colleague
Sep 11 2021 5:15AM
John, Thinking of you this week. I will take you out for a boat ride and cigar on Saturday. Be well my friend. JJ
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 7 2021 1:11PM
John, I remember the work we shared in our mutual client, IBM. I learned so much from you. RIP my friend.
Herb Mitchell, Friend
Sep 13 2020 0:49AM
John, thinking of you today. I will be evaluating TPA selections today and will do my best to live up to your standard of asking tough probing questions with a little bit of wit and humor mixed in. You are still the standard bearer of Client advocacy and professionalism.
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 10 2020 0:12PM
John, hard to believe that this much time has passed. You are still the gold standard for professional conduct and Client advocacy. Be well my friend. JJ
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 10 2019 9:06AM
John, thinking of you again today. Finally got the courage to go to the memorial this year. Remembering you always.
Bob Braddick, Colleague
Sep 11 2018 9:08AM
John, Time is passing too fast yet it seems like yesterday we were communicating via e-mail that fateful day. Think of you often. Always remembered and missed. Jeff
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 10 2018 3:46PM
John, I will never forget your camaraderie, professionalism and hilarious sense of humor. Rest in peace.
Sherry , Colleague
Sep 11 2016 11:26AM
It doesn't seem possible that 15 years could have passed already. Tomorrow will be a tough day for many. I hope and pray that the pain and anguish felt by those left behind is soothed by the memories of great people like you. Tomorrow a boat ride and cigar in your honor my friend!
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 10 2016 7:33AM
Johnny Boy, No boat ride and cigar tribute for you this year ... rainy day. Sorry. I cant tell you what a guide post you've been over the years. I often ask myself what would John do in this situation. We visited the memorial museum for the first time last December . My 14 year old daughter brought me over to the area where the tribute are and had your name pulled up. As you can imagine it was a bit emotional for two reasons. First, to see your tribute and second to realize that my daughter actually does hear and retain what I say!! I speak of you often . Your are still the "gold standard" of professional conduct and a true friend. Be well.
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Sep 11 2015 11:03AM
John, it's been 13 years and I still can't believe your gone. I fondly recall all the days on the road we spent together. You representing your clients and me representing my insurance company. I am so thankful that we had the opportunity to talk the evening before that dreadful day. Rest in peace my friend. You will always be in my thoughts.
Herb Mitchell, Friend
Sep 12 2014 4:43PM
On this 13th anniversary I still hurt with your loss. I miss you and love you. your loving sister
Jan Rigo Dudley, Family
Sep 11 2014 11:56AM
I was Mat's nanny in the 1960s & have only just found out so its fresh pain for me, I cant believe this lovely boy has gone(to me he's ever a boy) Please Jan or Polly get in touch skibaro@ yahoo.com & to you all my heartfelt condolences
Barbara Stock Jablon, Friend
Jan 17 2014 4:23PM
Dear John - yesterday while the memorial tributes were on TV - I listened for your name - I sat with my husband and talked about the times you and I spent together while you were in San Diego - you were just the most classy guy - and so perfect for where I was with my life at that time - I hope I did the same for you - thinking of you with utmost respect and fondness -
Bonnie SinClair, Friend
Sep 12 2011 12:50PM
John, I have missed you over the years and hoped you were doing well. We were friends, as well as family. My shock upon discovering you were lost on 911 has not lessened...I think of you often. I'm glad to have learned through Elaine that you had a blessed marriage to the wonderful Betsy, and that they have become friends and a mini-support system to each other. Wherever you are, we think of you often, fondly and with smiles. God Bless, Janine and Tom
Janine Heffelfinger, Family
Sep 9 2011 9:54PM
John: Where has the time gone? 10 years ...wow, it doesnt seem that long ago. Unless we have another hurricane/tropical storm, I plan on taking you,via your prayer card, out for a boat ride Sunday.Yes I will have a cigar and no I still don't drink scotch. You are still missed by so many. Be well my friend. Jeff
Jeff Johnston, Friend
Sep 8 2011 1:18PM
A message to the family of John M. Rigo on the 8th anniversary of 9-11: On the first anniversary of 9-11, as the names of the victims were read aloud at the memorial service, I wrote two names in my Bible. One of those names was John M. Rigo. I asked God to reveal to me the names of two people, whose families that He would have me to remember to pray for. Mr. Rigo's name is still in my Bible. I still remember the family even though I have never met or spoken to them. I will continue to carry you in my heart - always. May God bless you and keep you until you are reunited with your loved one.
Melissa McDuffie, Friend
Sep 12 2009 12:33AM
Matty, Even though you were older than me and our families were geographically separated, I remember swimming in the 'above ground' pool you guys had when we had come home from Germany. Living in the DC area I am always reminded of you when I see the 911 Virginia 'Fight Terrorism' license plates. I hope your family is doing well! Rob
Rob Grimm, Family
Dec 26 2007 12:36PM
Well Johnny Boy: My only regret about returning to New York City is the fact that you are not here to share a steak,cigar,libation and laugh with. This is the first 9/11 that I will not be able to take your memorial card out for a ride on the boat while you sit proudly displayed on the helm as I smoke a cigar and drink a beer thinking about you and our other good friends lost that day(and yes I am sure you are still grumbling that its a stinkpot powerboat not a majestic sailboat). John you are the standard by which I measure other claim professionals and client advocates. I miss working with you. More importantly, I miss the adventures and great times we had together. Take care my friend. Jeff Johnston
Jeff Johnston, Friend
Sep 11 2007 8:51AM
Dear John; Any time I think about 9/11, I think of you and how your life was taken that day. We did not always agree - you working for J&H; and then Marsh, and I working as the Claims Manager at Tokio Marine. I did however, respect your talents and recognize that the things that make us the same far outweigh those that make us different. Your reputation was to a large degree, the same as mine. Tough, uncompromising, dedicated. Maybe that's why we didn't always get along. In any event, I wish you well. You made an impression on my life. God Bless, Adam Strong
Adam Strong, Colleague
Jul 4 2007 9:42PM
Dear John: I thought a lot about you yesterday, which would have been our 15th wedding anniversary. What a great day that was, so elegant yet simple! I think about you all the time, but now I am grateful to have such wonderful memories of our time together. I will always think of you, but I am looking toward the future now, which I am sure you would encourage. To honor our anniversary, I went to the NYAC with two friends for pool and dinner. We had a great time; Cathy spoke about you very fondly and respectfully. Especially about your sense of humor. Cheryl Price and I have become good friends, which I am sure you would approve of. She called tonight, for the anniversary. She also came back from San Diego to attend the 5th 9/11 anniversary. She and Dan are now divorced, which I'm sure would surprise and disturb you to no end. In any case, you are right: she is a wonderful friend, as she was to you. I will always think about you, my honey. Love, Betsy
Betsy, Family
Jan 26 2007 2:12AM
Dear John, There isn't a day I don't think about our friendship and the good times we all had together. I have walked the path down 7th Avenue to Ground Zero many times and say a prayer for you each time. I will always treasure the memory of our family ski trip to Jay Peak. Love always, Ted
Ted, Friend
Nov 26 2006 11:12AM
Andrew had his Bar Mitzvah this past weekend and he lit a candle in your memory and honor. Donald, Andrew and I were so glad that your beloved wife, Betsy, was with us on this most special occasion. We all felt your presence and we knew you were with us in spirit. John, I think of you often and remember all the wonderful times we had working together on IBM and other clients. You will always be with me in my heart.
Joan Schaeffer, Colleague
Sep 12 2006 7:45PM
On this anniversary, I will only remember the many conversations on various topics, watching old movies together, the laughs and the teasing (about my potholders!). It happened many years ago at the College of St. Thomas, but the wonderful memories linger. Rest in Peace, old friend.
Nancy, Friend
Sep 11 2006 7:49AM
On 9/11 I was walking South on Sixth Avenue near 11th Street, when a plane crashed into 1 WTC into an area I immediately perceived as the Marsh floors. John was the first person I thought of and I hoped he was traveling that day. Later that morning, I called information for his home phone number, hoping to speak with him. The rest is(sigh)....history. I met John a few weeks before I joined J&H; in 1995. We were at the same table at the C&S; dinner. The fact is that John could shoot the breeze about ANYTHING, but that evening I remember that he told me that one of his favorite things about the C&S; dinner was going home and walking his Scottish terrier in his tuxedo while smoking a cigar. Being a fellow terrier owner and dog lover, the conversation branched out to FDR and Fala, Asta, Nick & Nora, New Yorker cartoons and the like. Ultimately, as I got to know John over the next several years, I understood that he was an intensely serious, hard-working, intellectual individual who was paradoxically (and seamlessly!) a bon-vivant. Go figure! In a way, John epitomized what was so special about J&H.; I chatted with John just a few days before that terrible day in September. John was in a car, on the way back from seeing one of our mutual clients in Long Island. It was a Friday afternoon and I said 'I hope you're not coming back to the office.' He said that his Friday 'traveling rule' dictated that if it was after 3PM, the day was done. I still smile when I think of this.
Sherry Boyar, Colleague
Dec 16 2005 10:54AM
I will always try to think of you in terms of feeding us chocolate cake or oreos for breakfast when we visited, and not what was to be later. I had hoped in time you would remember us. We loved you, and we missed you. That made it harder when you died. Hope Nessie's with you.
CMR, Family
Dec 14 2005 7:38AM
Several months ago I was asked by a friend if I knew any good investigators in San Diego. I immediately though of John. John lived downstairs from me for several years and had contacts in the industry. I had not talked to John in several years. I had visited with John years before in New York and met his wife. I tried calling John because I knew he could help. John's wife answered the phone and gave me the shocking news the John was in one of the towers on 9/11. I am finally over the shock of finding out John was one of the victims in the 9/11 disaster and started to remember the years spent with John in San Diego. John and I lived in the same condo in San Diego. We hit it off immediately. We were about the same age and had similar interests (excluding golf). We had great discussions over politics, religion and women which with most people would end in a fight or finding a new friend. John had the personality that you would always remain a friend after such encounters. John enjoyed sailing which was great since I had a sailboat. I could always count on a reliable crew. Nothing like a warm day out on the ocean tipping a few brews and solving many of the world woes. I will miss John because he was a friend and because he was one of the few good guys in this world that would go the extra mile for me and many other people. Rick, Margaret and Megan Pluth
Rick Pluth, Friend
Jul 28 2005 2:02PM
I will always remember the trips we made throught the U.S. You taught me a great deal and for that I will always be grateful. RIP my traveling buddy.
Herb Mitchell, Friend
Oct 31 2003 3:31PM
Dear John, I will always love you, and will always miss you. You were my husband, best friend, supporter, lover, and the best person I've ever known. I miss you every day, not just your wonderful companionship, but your outrageous sense of humor. You are with me every day, and will always be with me, and also in my prayers. YLW, as we say.
ESM, Family
Jun 29 2003 1:49AM
John, Its hard to believe that summer is coming to a close and only now am I resigned to the fact that you my colleague, friend and confidant are gone. We shared many great 'adventures' in Upstate NY. John you would always drop everything to help me and more importantly our clients to address a pressing issue. Over the years you became a connoisseur of the Upstate winter weather pattern ... snow... snow ... and more snow, but you never said no.In fact you commented more than once 'sure I can make it ... I always like to spend two weeks in Buffalo in February for an overnight trip'. John, you made it fun when it was tough, easy when it was hard and most importantly memorable. Take care my friend.
Jeff Johnston, Colleague
Oct 4 2002 4:37PM
My brother was my friend, my confidant, and my favorite person to go to for advice. I miss him and always will.
Jan Dudley, Family
Apr 30 2002 7:54PM
I will always remember your hard-nosed approach, your laugh and your stories. Take care.
Tom Ridgway, Colleague
Apr 16 2002 2:45PM
RIP buddy from an old friend at Rollins Burdick Hunter...
T.Rodriguez, Friend
Apr 5 2002 11:42AM