Category Archives: V


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  John Damien Vaccacio

Date of Birth: April 15, 1971
Position: Municpal Bonds Broker, VP

Dear Uncle Damien:
I miss you so much and I will never forget you. Even though I cannot see you, I know that you are there and I know that I can always come to you for advice. A lot of times my head tells me to do one thing and my heart tells me to do the other. When you were here and I could see you, I remember asking you for advice and you told me to follow my heart and that’s what I’ve been doing. Everyone here misses you so much. You may not have known this, but you have changed a lot of peoples’ lives; even the ones you just met on the street. All of us wonder why God had to take you…I guess you had accomplished all that needed to be done and God wanted you. I guess it was your time, and in time, we’ll grow to accept that. The one thing that keeps me going is knowing that you are in a better place. We will always miss you, but soon be happy knowing that you’re happy with God. “Dream as if you’ll live forever; live as if you’ll die.” “Live your life so that when you are born everyone around you is smiling and you are crying, and when you die you are smiling and everyone around you is crying.” You have done that and we will never forget you.
Love, Alyson


Alyson Vaccacio Age 11, Niece

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  Ivan Vale

Date of Birth: May 9, 1974
Department: Desktop Support

I met my future husband, Ivan (who I never paid any attention to because he was so skinny), through my brother Walter. Ivan was my brother’s friend from Automotive H.S. who used to come over to our home after school to hangout. The last time I saw Ivan was at their H.S. graduation in 1992.
Five years would pass before a chance meeting on March 6, 1997. My cousin Luis and I were walking around 34th Street waiting for my brother when I see a familiar face walking towards me. He didn’t recognize me but I recognized him and when I called out his name he just gave me a look that said “who the hell are you and how do you know me?” so I responded to his look “Walter’s sister”. When my brother finally showed up the three of us went to dinner and spent the night drinking and reminiscing. We quickly exchanged our numbers and swore never to lose touch again.
During the summer Ivan and I would go to the beach every weekend with our friends and then eventually just the two of us. I found myself falling in love with Ivan with every passing day. I couldn’t believe that everything I had ever wanted in a man was in front of me all those years. He must have known it too because in November of 1997 we were engaged and then married 8 months later. Ivan, I love you still and miss you dearly. My soul mate, you have my heart forever.

Your wife always,

Lucy


Lucy, Wife

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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.


Lorie Van Auken, Wife

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  Frederick Varacchi

Date of Birth: December 21, 1965
Department: eSpeed/Cantor Fitzgerald Securities
Position: President and COO, eSpeed, and COO of Cantor Fitzgerald

To say, “Fred Varacchi lived life to the fullest,” would be an understatement. He took every opportunity to experience life physically, mentally, and emotionally. He loved challenging his physical ability to drive cars, motorcycles, and boats. Fred tried almost every sport imaginable. His intelligence grew with every professional challenge put in front of him. Fred’s desire for knowledge and how to use it most effectively was amazing. He was so proud of eSpeed and how everyone worked so hard to develop this wonderful company. Although he put 110% into his career he always had time for his family. Fred would just call during the day to say hello and check up on everyone. There were so many times that he would call just as I was about to call him. We could always know what the other one was thinking. His three children were the center of his universe and they knew it. He would always say he was their “play toy”. Day or night he was a kid at heart and would always delight them with his enormous hugs and kisses. He was their superhero, protector, and best friend. Fred’s determination to get to every school event, conference, soccer game, and dance recital was super human. Fred was a shining example of what a wonderful dad, husband, friend, boss, uncle, brother, and son should be. We love you always forever faithfully, Eileen, Thomas, Corinne, and Tyler.


Eileen Varacchi, Wife

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  Santos Vazquez

Date of Birth: May 11, 1946
Department: Facilities
Position: Assistant Supervisor

Two Hearts In One

Time has been hard. Time has been easy knowing that while part of my heart has been taken away from me, but part of me has been taken to a better place with you. That allows me to be with you in that better place. I know your heart is inside of me, where no one can take that away from me. That allows me to let you live with me. It’s hard to wake up each day without you. I know you would say life is not an easy thing to deal with, but I must go on with my life, so I can keep you alive.

My heart beats for you. There are times that my heart skips a beat for you. There are times when my heart skips a beat with pain. I feel you take me inside of you, hugging me with your heart, holding me with your love, so my heart to your heart. We are two hearts in one. I love you.

Love you always,
Your son Richie



Richie Vazquez, Son

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  Frank J Vignola Jr


Frank J. Vignola, Jr. was a loving person. Whatever riches he had, empotional and tangible, he shared with all he knew. He was a very hard working and responsible person you could always depend upon. Whatever he was doing, whether at work or at play, he gave it his all.

What we miss most about him:

-getting up at the crack of dawn to be the first on line with his kids to see the newest Star Wars movie

-watching him play Monopoly with our daughter, Sarah, and Battleship, with our son, Anthony

-seeing him enjoy a cigar with gusto and stinking out the neighborhood

-listening to him argue with his brother, James, and brother-in-law Jerry, over how to fix something for longer than it takes to actually do it

-his great imagination and sense of fun like when he dressed up as a Rubicks cube for our family New Year’s Eve party

-hearing him scream at the TV when he watched the Jets play well or not so well

-going out to dinner and watching his enjoyment as he tasted a new wine

-hearing the door slam and Anthony getting up from bed yelling “Daddy’s home from work and I just have to tell him one thing”

Our memories of Frank will live in our hearts each and every forever. Many people have said Frank was a hero because of the way he died, but we feel he is our hero because of the way he lived.



Ellen Vignola, Wife

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  Joshua Vitale

Date of Birth: January 30, 1973
Position: Trading Sales Assistant

To My Darling Joshua,

You will always be the love of my life and your memory will live on inside my heart forever. I truly believe that you were a “precious gift” given to me. I thank God that I was blessed to have the opportunity to love you, and even more blessed to have been loved by you. I promise baby that I will live for the two of us because I know your spirit, soul, and love will carry me through. Thank you Josh, from the bottom of my heart.

Loving you forever,




Ina Weintraub, Fiancee