Hundreds Mourn Jamaicans Who Perished In Plane Crash

Hundreds of mourners led by Deputy Consul General of Jamaica, Mrs. Tracey Blackwood, New Jersey Governor Jon Corzine and Bloomfield City Councilman Nicholas Joanow, packed into the Jersey City Assembly Hall of Jehovah’s Witness on Saturday, February 28, to remember four Jamaicans killed on February 12.

The four, all from one family, perished when the Continental Connection Flight 3407 from New Jersey to Buffalo, NY, crashed during bad weather on approaching the Buffalo Airport, killing all 49 passengers aboard and one person on the ground.

The majority of the more than 1,000 mourners attending the memorial service did not know those who died but came out nonetheless to show their support. 

David Tanelli in his ‘funeral discourse,’ highlighted a very close knit family, united in their zeal for helping others to know what the Bible teaches.  

Donald Mossop served as an elder for over a decade in the North Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Montclair, NJ. He worked as a technician at Xerox for over 22 years.

“From the time he was a child, he had a passion for learning how things worked and fixing them when they were broken,” noted Brett Jackson, a North Congregation member.

Donald’s wife, Dawn, an executive secretary with Schering-Plough, was remembered as someone who was enthusiastic about life and who loved to spend time with her siblings. She was an outstanding cook who impressed many with her culinary skills.

Shawn Mossop, the couple’s 12 year old son was remembered as an academically gifted child at math, science and writing. He told teachers he wanted to be an engineer.

Ferris Reid, Dawn’s sister, was a registered nurse with the Patient Care Services of East

Orange, NJ

Family members travelled from Jamaica and Canada to attend the service.

Speaking with JIS/NY News after the service, Brett Jackson said, “the North Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses deeply miss these persons given the warmth and love they demonstrated to all but they look forward to being reunited with them in the righteous new world that the Bible foretells that this earth will be transformed into by God’s Kingdom”.

The family thanked the Jamaican Consul General for her prayers and support.