Wives confirm IDs of two men killed in plane crash
2:49 PM Tue, Nov 18, 2008 | Permalink
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The two men killed in a plane crash yesterday in Smithfield are Ronald Tetreault, 64, of Glocester, and Robert Zoglio Jr., 43, of Richmond, their wives said today. Although authorities have not officially released the names of the crash victims, Beth Tetreault, of Glocester, confirmed today that her husband, Ronald, was killed. Earlier today Donna J. Zoglio had confirmed that her husband, Robert, the owner of the plane, was killed. The men were killed when the small plane they were flying crashed into woods between Clark Road and Limerock Road about a half-mile from the North Central State Airport in Smithfield at about 5 p.m. yesterday. Tetreault was happiest flying, his widow said today, and if there's any consolation in his death, it's that he died doing something he loved. James J. Warcup, aeronautics inspector for the Rhode Island Airport Corporation, said both men were experienced pilots. The plane took off from T.F. Green Airport in Warwick, where the red-and-white single-engine Piper was based, to do a practice approach at the airport but lost power, Warcup said. It is unclear why the plane lost power. Both men have been in the Rhode Island Wing of the Civil Air Patrol; Tetreault was the wing's logistics officer. Mrs. Zoglio says her husband was flying the plane. Zoglio was an instrument rated pilot, meaning he was capable of flying in weather conditions of low cloud ceilings and poor visibility. Zoglio and Tetreault flew about once a week so Zoglio could maintain his rating for instrument flight rules, Mrs. Tetreault said. Zoglio would essentially fly "blind," and Tetreault was his safety pilot, maintaining visibility, Mrs. Tetreault said. "I know he trusted Bob," she said. Mrs. Zoglio declined to speak further about her husband after confirming his death this morning. Tetreault had worked at the Airport Corporation as a senior builder, said Mrs. Tetreault, who also works there as a procurement specialist. Tetreault loved planes and always wanted to fly, and he finally attained his pilot's license seven years ago at the North Central State Airport, Mrs. Tetreault said. She also became a pilot, at her husband's insistence. He wanted to make sure that she'd be able to take over the plane if something happened to them while they flew together. Although they didn't own a plane, Mrs. Tetreault said they would often rent a Diamond 40 from the Warwick airport and take trips, including a favorite flight to Pittsfield, Mass., to view the Berkshires and stop in for dinner, she said. "Ronnie was a very good pilot," Mrs. Tetreault said. "He actually loved to fly at night. He said he felt being up there at night, when it was quiet, was peaceful and serene." The couple have been active in the Rhode Island Pilots Association, where Mrs. Tetreault was recently elected president. While they settled in Glocester, the Tetreaults are both Pawtucket natives. They met when Tetreault moved next to her childhood home in the city's Fairlawn neighborhood, Mrs. Tetreault said. They celebrated their 35th anniversary last Tuesday, having dinner with family. Since the crash, friends and family, pilots and members of the Civil Air Patrol have called with their condolences, she said. "Ronnie was very well liked," Mrs. Tetreault said. -- Reported by Journal staff writer Amanda Milkovits and Maria Armental 
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As a relative of Ronald's, I am deeply saddened but Beth said exactly what I had been thinking: Ronald left us doing what he loved the most, flying.
If Beth or any other relatives are reading this, my most sincere condolences go to you. Though I did not get to see Ronald as often as I liked, I respected and looked up to him quite a bit.
Rest in peace, Ronald.
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I hope you are able to read this at some time Donna.
My heart goes out to you. Time and distance may
have separated us, but the caring from me was never
far away. I am so sad for you. I hope you are
able to find comfort from family and friends; and
in knowing, as Beth Tetreault said of her husband,
that Bob was doing something he loved to do.
My deepest sympathy.
Linda
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Donna Zoglio is my sister in law. I am married to her brother. Brian flew with Bob back in May when we went up there to visit. Bob is a very cautious and safe pilot. My husband is with his family at this time. I know that they would appreicate your prayers for his family and for Ronald's family.
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Where did Bob Zoglio go to high school?
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