OGNIBENE-Philip Paul ("Eddie") ("Woody"), 39, of Manhattan, a trader for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods Inc. for 16 years, died in the World Trade Center disaster on September 11, 2001. Born March 16, 1962 in Brooklyn, then moved to Long Island where he spent his childhood. He later spent many years in Staten Island before settling in Manhattan. He graduated from North Babylon Sr. High School in 1980. He also attended SUNY Farmingdale. Philip was a kind, gentle, caring and generous man who was devoted to his family and friends. A sports enthusiast, Philip was also a diehard Yankee and Islander fan. He enjoyed traveling, reading, working out, playing softball and spending time with his family. Philip is survived by his mother Antoinette, his father Vincent, his stepmother Diane and grandfather Blaise J. Ognibene. Dear brother of Blaise Ognibene, Esther Barbuto and Anna Ruess and brother-in-law's Vincent Barbuto and Peter Ruess. Adored uncle to seven nieces and nephews. Proud godfather to Andrew Ognibene and Antoinette Ruess. Also survived by many loving aunts, uncles and cousins. A Memorial Mass will be held on October 27th at 11AM at Our Lady of Grace RC Church, 666 Albin Ave., W. Babylon, NY. In lieu of flowers, the family will accept donations towards a scholarship fund that will be set up in Philip's name for the North Babylon Sr. High School

Big Apple Softball Mourns a Teammate
"Roxy Eddie" (Philip) Ognibene loved life and especially loved softball. He was a bond trader who was on the 89th floor of the World Trade Center when it was attacked Sept. 11; he is missing and presumed dead. A teammate on the Renegades remembers what made "Roxy Eddie" special.

`I Just Love to Play Softball'

Big Apple Softball League Mourns `Roxy Eddie' Ognibene

By Jerry Rosco, Renegades
For Outsports.com

A beloved member of the Renegades of New York's Big Apple Softball League, "Roxy Eddie" (Philip) Ognibene, was tragically lost in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack. He worked as a bond trader for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on the 89th floor of WTC 2, which was destroyed by a hijacked plane.

Eddie was a strong lefty hitter, a flawless first baseman, and was solid in the outfield and pitching. Much more important, his last name is roughly translated as "every goodness" and that is exactly what he meant to everyone who knew him.

Joyous to the point of hilarity, always full of love and life, Roxy Eddie brought a wonderful presence to the Renegades and Big Apple softball this year. His smile, his sense of humor and funny chatter put the game and the world in perspective. Just to see him was to laugh aloud.

Although he was in great shape and loved sports, he was a hard worker who had little time for joining teams. Finally, a friend of a dozen years, outfielder Dave Lamont of the Stonewall Riot team, got Roxy Eddie to join the softball league this year.

"I know and saw how much joy he got out of playing with the Renegades," Lamont said. Another longtime friend, Ming, was a steady, quiet presence, watching Eddie play this past summer. Only weeks ago, Eddie joined his teammates for the Montreal tournament, Le Rendez-Vous du Lys, and was one of the most popular players on and off the field.

Big Apple Softball League Commissioner John Panarace said in a message to the entire league: "We have been through a week of hell. What this has only re-enforced is how much we mean to each other. Hug a friend, hug a teammate."

The league will memorialize Roxy Eddie at its awards event on Sept. 29, Panarace said. KBW has already had a service for its 69 dead and missing employees. Renegade manager Pete Cocheo has called a private meeting for his teammates and friends. Eddie's No. 5 will be retired, and there will be an award in his honor.

Players and teams from around the country have sent their condolences, including Uncle Bert's Cuzzins of the San Francisco Softball League, who enjoyed playing against Eddie in Montreal, and Commissoner Heath Britt of Portland's Rose City Softball Association.

One of his closest friends on the Renegades, Ben Moon, said, "We have to remember Roxy Eddie's love for life and for softball." His love for life was all too evident. As for the sport, what stands out is an August postseason practice that only the most fanatical players joined. It was raining and when the rain became too hard, Eddie was the last to run off the field, his shoulders comically hunched. "I don't care," he said, "I just love to play softball."

Sept. 22, 2001