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Making Moments Count

As a veteran pilot for United Airlines, Victor J. Saracini placed great stock in paying attention to time. But as a father to his two daughters, the concept of time — or rather, maximizing the limited amount of it he had — took on an almost transcendent meaning.

Thank goodness, then, that Mr. Saracini, 51, a former Navy pilot, was about the most reliable person you could ever meet, and always thinking of his daughters, Kirsten, 13, and Brielle, 10, according to his in-laws, Bernard F. and Bernadette G. Hildebrand. "He taught them computers even before they could count, basically," Mrs. Hildebrand said about Mr. Saracini, who was the pilot of United Airlines Flight 175.

Once, Kirsten used her allowance money to buy a souvenir in Pennsylvania. After she paid for the item, she counted the change. Satisfied, she said, "Thank you," and picked up the package. "What kid would do that?" Mrs. Hildebrand said.

Mr. Saracini beamed, too, when his daughters did practice flight plans with him, or learned to read a compass. "He was very thorough with everything," Mr. Hildebrand said. "One time, he called to say, 'You won't have to worry about a thing if anything ever happens to me. The girls will be taken care of.' "
Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 31, 2001.


SARACINI VICTOR J., age 51, Captain of United Airlines Flight 175, on Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2001. Originally from Atlantic City N.J., he lived with his family in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, PA. He is survived by his wife Ellen L., formerly of Long Island N.Y.; daughters Kirsten and Brielle; mother Anne of Atlantic City N.J.; and sister Joanne and brother-in-law Dominick Renzi of Franklinville N.J. A Memorial Service will be held at 11 A.M. Tuesday Sept. 18 at St. Andrew R.C. Church, 81 Swamp Rd., Newtown, PA 18940 with The Rev. Jay Buttons presiding. In addition to the Main Service, a Mass will be offered at 11 A.M. Saturday Sept. 22 at St. Michael's Roman Catholic Church, Atlantic City, NJ. Arrangements are under the direction of THE JAMES J. DOUGHERTY FUNERAL HOME, Levittown, PA. Donations may be made to the 'Victor Saracini Memorial Children's Fund', c/o First Union Bank, 679 Heacock Road, Yardley, PA 19067. Donations will also be accepted at any First Union branch office.

Paid Notice published in THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER on September 17, 2001.