It is somewhat of a cold a dreary day here in Colorado. We are welcoming the the idea that fall is upon us. This day is also a day of remembrance. I always look back on this day and remember. On this day in 2001 we can all recall where we were and what we were doing. For me I was enjoying the great outdoors deer hunting in mountains of Colorado at about 11,000 feet. I had no idea what was happening across the country in New York City.
My wife was at home with my 2 year old daughter and not quite 1 year old baby boy. My wife was watching the television with my little girl when she saw the first plane hit Tower NUmber 1. My daughter was the first to comment, "Look Mommy a plane!" My daughter had no idea what was transpiring or the tragedy that was unfolding before her. My wife on the other hand sat with tears running down her face as she watched the events unfold. She tried calling me but I was in a place no cell phone could reach. It wasn't until later in the day that she was finally able to get a call through to me to let me know what had happened. I packed my things and rushed home to be with my family.
I wanted to remember today another family man that was at work on September 11, 2001. Joseph Vilardo, a successful stock broker, worked on the 104th floor of the World Trade Center. He too loved the outdoors and was a family man. I wanted to share his bio here today in memory:
Joseph Vilardo was a successful stock trader, his greatest joys came outside of work, spending time with his family. A senior vice president for Cantor Fitzgerald Securities, Mr. Vilardo, 42, of Stanhope, was working on the 104th floor of One World Trade Center when a hijacked jetliner hit the building Sept. 11. Just a day earlier, Mr. Vilardo proudly called his parents in Barnegat to tell them their grandson, Matthew, had hit a home run Sunday, recalled Mr. Vilardo’s mother, Ann Vilardo. A coach of his son’s Little League team, Mr. Vilardo also was an outdoor enthusiast and avid skier, who enjoyed taking his children on skiing trips. “He was always with his kids. Whatever they did, he was there with them,” said Mr. Vilardo’s lifelong friend, Joseph Cook. Mr. Vilardo grew up in North Arlington, and lived in Byram and Rutherford before moving to Stanhope. His skiing hobby dated to a grade-school trip to the Alps. He returned home with a love for the slopes as well as a keepsake gift for his mother, a Swiss crystal centerpiece dish. “He brought me home the most beautiful piece of crystal. I said, ‘How did you bring it home?’ He said, ‘I wrapped it in a towel,’ ” Ann Vilardo recalled. Mr. Vilardo also enjoyed hiking and walking his dogs, as well as playing golf and guitar. His interest in business was sparked in a class about the stock market at North Arlington High School, from which he graduated in 1977, Cook said. “He became great with it,” Cook said. “He worked his way up and became very successful.” Having worked for Cantor Fitzgerald for about the past nine years, Mr. Vilardo was promoted to senior vice president of Canadian trading a few years ago. It was a prestigious position trumpeted by the company in large newspaper ads. Mr. Vilardo is survived by his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Nicole, and a son, Matthew, all of Stanhope. Also surviving are his parents, Barry and Ann Vilardo of Barnegat, and three sisters, Diane Braitsch of Hasbrouck Heights, Margaret Mahon of Lanoka Harbor and Janet Vilardo of Lyndhurst.
Mr. Vilardo would be the same age I am today but for that fateful day. I have always tried to remember him and his family on this day. I am still friends on Facebook with his daughter and follow along in her life and watch her grow and succeed. I always think that Mr. Vilardo is still there with his kids also watching them grow and succeed as the proud father he was and continues to be by their side.
Take a moment of your time today to remember.
