CT 9/11 Victims: The Lives Behind the Names

Close to 3,000 names were read this morning at the 9/11 Memorial Ceremony in New York. All were someone’s mother, father, sister, brother, family member and friend and the nation has vowed since 2001 to never forget them. Below are some of the local lives behind the names. May they rest in peace and may their families find comfort during this difficult time.

BROOKFIELD:

Judith Florence Hofmiller, 53, Senior Software Consultant, Marsh & McLennan Cos.

Judith was working in the World Trade Center in Tower 1 on the 97th floor. She was planning on marrying her longtime partner, Robert Winkis, the following month at Brookfield Town Hall. The couple was together for 16 years. Her hobby was cross-stitching.

DANBURY:

Michael Grady Jacobs, 54, Accountant/Vice President for Tax Operations, Fiduciary Trust International

Michael had been taking his four children to the World Trade Center since 1983, to visit his office and to see the Statue of Liberty and the 1984 Olympics. He worked on the 90th floor of 2 World Trade Center. He was born and raised in Danbury and was learning to play the bagpipes.

Candace Lee Williams, 20, Northeastern University Student, American Flight 11

Candace was an Immaculate High School graduate and Northeastern University student, about to enter her junior year. After completing a successful internshhip, she set out to California to visit a college roommate and have her piicture taken in front of the Hollywood sign. Unfortunately, she never made it. Her friends, The Friends of Candace, have set up the Candace Lee Williams 5K Run.

MONROE:

Robert J. Gerlich, 56, Accountant/Consultant, Reinsurance Solutions Inc.

Robert was working at the World Trade Center in Tower 1 on the 94th floor that sunny Tuesday morning when tragedy struck. According to his Legacy.com profile, he was a lifelong baseball fan and devoted his weekends to his family and to baseball. He is survived by his wife Rochelle and his sons, Matt and Daniel.

RIDGEFIELD:

Howard Joseph Heller Jr., 37, Managed Funds Expert, Carr Futures

Howard was working on the 92nd floor of the World Trade Center in Tower 1 for Carr Futures on that tragic day. He and his wife Mary-Jean, and their four children, ages 8, 6, 4 and 16 months at the time, lived in a quaint yellow farmhouse in Ridgefield that he fixed up and restored himself.

Robert Higley, II, 29, Client Services, Aon Corp.

Robert was working in the World Trade Center in Tower 2 on that tragic day. Rob moved to Ridgefield when he was 4 and later moved when he was 8-years-old. He kept three dear Ridgefield friend said his wife, Vycki Higley. They are godfathers to his daughters, Amanda and Robyn Elizabeth, who was born on Nov. 3.

Tyler Ugolyn, 23, Fred Alger Management, World Trade Center

One of the youngest victims, Tyler was a Columbia University graduate who began his dream job in the city as a research associate with Fred Alger Management Inc., in the World Trade Center. At 6-foot-4, he was a natural athlete who played basketball for Columbia. He helped start a youth basketball program in Harlem showing his heart and love of the youth and the game.

TRUMBULL:

Raymond J. Metz III, 37, Currency Broker, Euro Brokers Inc.

Raymond was a Red Sox, Patriots and Bruins fan, which gave co-workers in New York City reason to tease. He was born in Ohio but grew up on Boston’s North Shore before settling in Trumbull. He enjoyed playing hockey and skiing as an adult. He is survived by his wife, Patrice and two daughters.

WILTON:

Edward T. Fergus Jr., 40, Cantor Fitzgerald

According to the profile published in the New York Times, every Saturday Edward Fergus would drive to Dixville, N.Y., to work on his parents’ boat. He fished on Long Island Sound with his (then) 10- year-old son, Tom, and (then) 11-year-old daughter, Shannon. He is also survived by wife, Linda Limburg. Mr. Fergus graduated St. Michael’s College in Winooski, Vermont and was a Partner at Cantor Fitzgerald Investments. He was an avid fisherman and master skier who was devoted to charities and causes, according to his obituary.

Peter Christian Peter Fry, 36

Peter Christian Fry played varsity lacrosse at Curry College in Boston. He was a vice president of international money markets with Euro Brokers Inc and left behind a wife and two daughters on September 11, 2001, according to Lacrosse Remembers Facebook page.

John Iskyan, 41, Financial Analyst, Cantor Fitzgerald

John Iskyan commuted to his job in New York City from Wilton, Conn. early each morning at 5 a.m. and was at his desk by 7 a.m., according to the New York Times online profile. John played high school lacrosse and was an avid skier and hiker at St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vt. He is survived by his wife, Margaret, and three children.

Edward Phillip York, 45, Vice President and Director of Human Resources, Cantor Fitzgerald

Ed worked at several firms including Hanna and Daymond and Associates before moving to Cantor Fitzgerald, where he was the Vice President and Director of Human Resources, according to an online tribute. He is survived by his wife, Kim, and three children.

Patch file photo.