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Kenneth W Van Auken Date of Birth: August 30, 1954 Department: Mortgage Backed Securities Position: Vice President On September 11, 2001, the light went out in Ken Van Auken’s beautiful blue eyes. We lost his warm and wonderful smile forever, my children lost their Dad, and I lost my husband and closest friend. Ken was known for his wry wit, his integrity and his intelligence. He could build anything and fix everything. He was an involved, affectionate and amazing father to our children,Matthew, 14 and Sarah, 12. They miss him dearly. On November 1, 2001 Ken and I would have shared our 16th anniversary. We met when we were in college at SUNY Cortland, in 1974, a whole lifetime ago. On the morning of September 11, Ken left a message that said “I love you” twice and “bye” softly, once. Ken, There are only three of us now, and each day that passes we miss you more. We feel your presence everywhere and wonder how on earth this could have happened. Life continues somehow, and I am trying to make the decisions for our children in a way that would make you proud. I love you always honey, and I miss you so much.
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Mr. Van Auken is what I called him. I had the pleasure of working with him on the Mortgage Desk at cantor for about two years. He was so intelligent and shared his insight about the market with me. He taught me so much about the market and was so enthusiastic during his lessons. He taught me patience which is something I needed to endure the volatility of the market. Mr. Van Auken’s approach and philosophy of life was enlightening. He was a family man who always had his priorities in perspective.
“Mr. Van Auken, thank you for being a friend and most of all for being there for me”. May god continue to bless you.
Dred Irving
I just want to echo the kind words of Drederick Irving… I had the pleasure of working with Ken as my partner at Cantor in the late nineties. Ken was very knowledgable about the business and was always willing to lend a helping hand or dispense useful advice. He always spoke of his wife and children; he loved them very much…
I had the good fortune of seeing Ken (with a few other Cantor guys)just a week or two before September 11th- we spoke at length about business, life and family. We made arrangements to get together soon-it saddens me greatly that Ken was so brutally stolen from us- I miss him and I grieve for him and his family. God bless and Godspeed Ken
Kenny,
I couldn’t have asked for a kinder, more loving brother. We shared so many adventures together through our childhood years, and I was so proud of the man you had become – a family man who loved his wife and kids and all of your family so wholeheartedly. You were a success in every sense of the word!
Were you there when we played the video at our family Christmas party this year showing a few moments of those young and happy days – the Christmas celebrations, with you and I eagerly eyeing Santa’s bag of goodies – you proudly driving your handmade racecar with the apple basket hood around the yard – you in the pool on the 4th of July with our cousins? So many good memories that made us all smile and laugh, but now bring a tear or two as well. I hope you know that we had this moment this season to see you once again on film and remember the special person you were and that you always will be in our hearts.
I thank God a part of you will live on in your children – in Sarah’s smile and in Matthew’s gestures and a voice that sounds more and more like yours every day.
It is hard to understand that you are really gone. It just doesn’t seem possible that you are not able to be here living and enjoying life with us any more.
I pray that God will keep you close to Him until we all meet again someday. Until then, we will miss you more than you know.
With lots of love,
Karen
I fell in love with Kenny’s family 36 years ago as I am a friend of his sister Karen Renzo. I went to high school with Karen and remember him as being a real nice guy even back then. I am not surprised that Kenny grew up to be all the man that everyone said he was. I pray for his family often that God will be gracious to them and guide their steps every step of the way. You were very special Kenny, and will be missed by all who loved you.
Annie North
Boca Raton, Fl.
I had the pleasure of knowing & working with Ken on the MBS desk at Cantor many years ago. What a pleasure he was to be around. I never heard him say a bad word about anyone & I always enjoyed his company…..he was a very good man.
Holding Hands. My cousin Kenny and I were born within eight months of each other, and we were very close. We were always holding hands, hugging or playing together. Kenny was always generous and kind to me. Most of all, Kenny held my hand during the good times and difficult times. The last time I saw Ken, we both instinctively reached out to each other – and held hands, once more, for the last time. I thank God for blessing our family with Kenny, and for the 47 years that he was with us.
Kenny, your family portrait is how I imagine you now, lovingly and protectively watching over your adoring wife and children. Many people speak of the heroes among us – in so many ways, you were my hero. Thank you for always holding my hand, and I know that God is holding your hand now. We miss you very much and you will live on in the hearts of those who love you forevermore.
Wherever a beautiful soul has been…..there is a trail of beautiful memories.
We will always remember.