LI Lockerbie Victims Remembered As Suspect In 1988 Bombing Arrested

LONG ISLAND, NY — In 1988, at least 12 Long Islanders were aboard Pan Am Flight 103 when it exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people and becoming the deadliest terrorist attack against Americans until 9/11.

A new arrest this week of a suspect accused of making the deadly bomb marks the first time anyone will face a trial in the United States in connection with the bombing. On Sunday, the FBI said they took custody of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi, a former Libyan intelligence operative.

Flying from London to JFK on Dec. 21, 1988, were 190 Americans, including 35 Syracuse University students and at least 12 Long Island residents.

Susan Lowenstein's son Alex was one of them. She told Patch that she wanted to congratulate the DOJ for "having persevered all these years. The fact that we have [Mas'ud] in the United States is absolutely remarkable."

In 2012, the only person convicted of the bombing, Abdelbaset Al Megrahi, died at home in Libya, after being freed from Scottish prison on "compassionate-release grounds," which some of the Long Island victims' families opposed.

Floral Park's Luisa Della Ripa, the widow of Gabriel Della Ripa, one of the victims, told Newsday in 2012 that she wished Megrahi had confessed before his death.

"I mean, at the end of your days, you've got to regret what you did . . . if you have a conscience," Della Ripa said.

The Victims of Pan Am Flight 103, Inc. released a statement after Mas'ud's arrest:

"With the USA gaining custody of Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud, the pursuit of justice has taken an important step. Mas’ud’s confession as the bomb maker to a Libyan law enforcement official makes him someone we truly want to see stand trial. We look forward to that trial."

Here is the full list of victims listed as living on Long Island who were killed on Pan Am Flight 103:

John Michael Gerard Ahern, 26, Rockville Centre

Ahern was a London-based bond broker returning to Long Island to see family for Christmas. His four siblings remembered his "open, cheerful, exuberance for life."

Gabriel Della Ripa, 46, Floral Park

Della Rippa worked for Pan Am and was returning from seeing relatives in Italy. He was on his way home to spend Christmas with his wife Luisa and daughters Carmela and Maria.

Andre Nikolai Guevorgian, 32, Sea Cliff

Guevorgian was an international trader and the "son of a Russian immigrant to whom he dedicated many of his achievements" and the "embodiment of the American dream."

William Chase Leyrer, 46, Bay Shore

Leyrer worked for the United Nations World Food Bank and once created a Fire Island ferry company. The "compassionate, soft-spoken family man" left behind a wife, daughter and son.

Alexander Silas Lowenstein, 21, Montauk

Lowenstein was one of the 35 Syracuse University students traveling home after a semester abroad. He hoped to work in clinical psychology. His mother Suse Lowenstein's sculpture "Dark Elegy" was inspired by her loss.

Joseph Kenneth Miller, 56, Woodmere

Miller was a director of Yeshiva University's Stem College for Women since 1987. He was "a model of commitment to Jewish life."

John Mulroy, 59, East Northport

Mulroy was the director of international communications for The Associated Press. He was traveling to spend Christmas with extended family, and died on the flight with his son, daughter-in-law, sister, brother-in-law and nephew.

Christos M. Papadopoulos, 45, North Lawrence

Papadopoulos was born in Greece and worked in the shoe business. He left behind his wife Judith.

Sally Elizabeth Scott, 22, Huntington

Scott was a chef who had just started her own business in London. She was visiting family on Long Island, where "she was a real fun-loving person and would buzz around Huntington in her sports car, her pride and joy."

Mark Lawrence Tobin, 21, North Hempstead

Tobin was a Chaminade graduate from Hempstead attending Syracuse University, returning from a semester abroad to study sports announcing. He was remembered as "eternally optimistic," and a "best friend" to more people than his family even knew.

Asaad Eidi Vejdany, 46, South Great Neck

Vejdany was an engineer and entrepreneur returning home to his wife on Long Island from visiting to help his elderly parents in London. His family called him "a pillar of our existence."

Jerome Lee Weston, 45, Baldwin

Weston was a business executive and an engineer, survived by his wife, Rosanne, and teenage sons Joseph and Gregory.