Category Archives: W


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  Neil Robin Wright

Date of Birth: May 28, 1971
Position: Interest Rate Options Broker

Neil lived in Tilbury, a dock development, on the north bank of the river Thames, in Essex, some 20 miles from London. This was Neil’s hometown.

Throughout secondary school his aptitude for maths and a personality that was to ensure his success in life were so apparent. Head teacher had a soft spot for Neil often forgiving him for misdemeanours, having faith that he would succeed in life whatever.

The work experience at Barclays Bank was to be instrumental in shaping his future in the world of finance. At 16 Neil landed his first job in the City of London at Barclays Bank. He worked hard and played hard too! Evenings were often spent with friends drinking in one of the many bars (some things never changed). From Barclays, to MarshallÆs and then Cantor Fitzgerald, nothing would stop Neil going up the ladder.

A new life chapter was about to start when he crosses the ocean to the land of milk and honey and many other riches!

Married and settled down, he came to love his new life in America, building his career and family with his two boys, Daniel and Jack.

Set backs? Yes a few: A car crash that nearly ended his life, virtually penniless and a divorce. Neil endured all, bounce back and rebuilt his life. Neil was a determined survivor.

It seems so unfair, that he had strived so hard to better his life from the difficult environment of his hometown, to reach the heights of the business world in New York, only to be cut down in the blinking of an eye by unknown people from another culture.

Family and Friends                           


Samantha Cardoso, Sister

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  Matthew Blake Wallens

Date of Birth: April 16, 1970
Position: SVP, Portfolio Trading

Blake was my best friend and the best person I knew. He was a beautiful person – his smile and gentle spirit radiated warmth, kindness, intelligence and integrity.

Blake loved life, and for the past five years that we were together, his contagious enthusiasm and unfaltering devotion elevated the quality of my life immeasurably. He was always a joy to be around. When I look back at our time together, there are no regrets or what-ifs. Just many, many happy memories, and lots and lots of love.

Blake knew how to have fun. He had no trouble accessing his inner child, and so our friends’ kids all loved him and his silly ways. He appreciated the small gifts of everyday life; a bike ride through Riverside Park, a hike in the woods, a delicious meal, going to the movies, reading a really good book, spending time with friends or family – any of these activities would bring a big smile to Blake’s face, and, as a result, to mine.

But Blake was also serious about the important things. He was the most loyal and sensitive friend a person could have and he was always there if someone needed him. He made a point of trying to understand and connect with others.

I will always miss Blake more than I can express, but I know that his spirit will live through the many people who loved him.




Raina Wallens, Wife

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  James (Jim) Walsh

Date of Birth: February 19, 1964
Department: ESpeed
Position: Programmer/Analyst

When Kathleen Walsh Karlen adopted her son Connor from Korea — a 2-year-old who found the transition from East to West sometimes unbearable — it was his Uncle Jim who could calm Connor’s emotional storms.

No one in the family was surprised. Jim Walsh was the fun uncle, the friend everyone wanted to hang with, the nice guy with the big heart who was never afraid to show it, said another sister, Carol Walsh Murphy.

“I’m sure everyone who was lost at the World Trade Center has somebody who says they are a great guy, but to call Jimmy great sells him short,” Murphy said. “He was fun and funny, and at the same time, he taught us all how to be a little more loving.”

James Walsh, 37, didn’t make one last call to his family from the 104th floor of One World Trade Center, where he worked as a computer programmer for Cantor Fitzgerald, but his family said it didn’t matter, “because he said ‘I love you’ every way possible, every day of the year.”

He said it in the way he read books every night to his daughter, Caroline, who turned 2 the day the Twin Towers crashed to earth.

When news came that the Scotch Plains resident was missing, boys he knew in high school in Westfield and people who remembered him from King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., called to help.

Sean McDonough, from Montgomery, Pa., recalled him in an e-mail: “. . . His friends in Pennsylvania and around the country have been warmed by his presence and will miss him terribly . . . He loved being a dad and through his relationship with Caroline, he showed me a way to be a better parent with my kids.

“We are left with the void of the thousands of people like Jim Walsh who died last week,” McDonough added. “but I will tell everyone who listens about my friend Jim and how much he meant to me and my life.”

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Walsh is survived by his wife, Kate; his parents, Frank and Mary Lou of Spring Lake; two brothers, Thomas of Westfield and Peter of Spring Lake; and two sisters, Kathleen Walsh Karlen of Woodbridge, Va., and Carol Walsh Murphy of Tampa, Fla.




Kate Walsh, Wife

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  Brian Warner

Date of Birth: November 9, 1968
Department: eSpeed Inc.
Position: Senior Systems Engineer

A loving husband, wonderful father, best friend.  While these words are accurate, they cannot begin to describe the man that Brian Warner was.  He was a genuinely nice person, and he cared about everyone.  He’s one of the few people I know who still stopped to help strangers on the side of the road. He got along with almost everyone, and once he called you “friend” it was for life and he would do anything for you.  As a husband and father, a friend of mine called him a “role model for all men”.   To me, he was truly my life partner.   We did everything together – working on his classic 1969 Firebird convertible, planting a vegetable garden, tickling our 3-year old son (and each other!), and planning for our future. After almost 13 years together, he still left me love notes, always bought me more than one card for special occasions (because he liked seeing me find them), and would call me just to say hello.  He worked for eSpeed for exactly one year (start date: 9-11-2000).

My last memories of Brian are seeing him give our infant daughter a bottle after dinner on Monday, September 10th.  She stared up at him and his eyes sparkled with joy as he looked at her – it was wonderful to watch.  The next morning, as I drifted back to sleep after a 5am feeding, Brian kissed me goodbye as he left for work.  That was the last time I saw him.

We love you and miss you Brian.


Pat Warner, Wife

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  Charles Waters

Date of Birth: August 26, 1957
Position: Vice President, Facilities

What can I say about Charlie Waters? Charlie was my first boss. I worked for Charlie for 2 years. He reminded me alot of my older brother Frank. His mannerisims, the way he talked, his love of the Mets! I remember on the interview, he asked me where I lived and when I told him Queens, he asked if I like the Mets, almost as if his decision to hire me depending on that answer. (Of course, I said YES!) He really cared for his staff. He always looked out for each and every single person in facilities, including myself, and I will be forever grateful to him.
I left Cantor on a pretty bad note, and I would just like to thank Charlie for everything that he did for me, and for the opportunity to meet and work for such a great guy, and if I could’ve done things differently, I would. My thoughts and prayers go out to his beautiful wife and children.


Cathy O’Connell, Former Cantor Employee