January 2006
Ralph loved the Christmas Holidays and this marked the 5th.year he was not with us. It was only once before in his young life that he did not celebrate Christmas with us. Above is a picture of that year's trip looking for snow in Whistler, BC.
He went sailing instead in Vancouver Harbour with his friend Mark!
Ralph always loved to make these special days extra special adding his own touch to it. He enjoyed celebrations and he celebrated each day of his life hoping to make a difference in his, his family and his friend's life.
Since 9/11/01 it hasn't been a day when we have not missed this wonderful son and brother of ours. His daily phone calls, e-mails, flowers, invitations for fishing trips, plans for Mother's Day, quick visits; always thinking of us and his brother Stephan, aunt and uncles, his friends, brought back how important family and friends were to him.
There are the many people like Mary Fletcher, Bill Doyle etc. who work so hard to have our loved ones properly been remembered. The WTC Memorial site, the issues to protect the family's interest rather than letting it be political and/or business driven agenda. The remains of the many victims strewn across a garbage dump on Staten Island must find a better and more decent place!
One can only salute Howard Lutnick, CEO of Ralph's former Company Cantor Fitzgerald, his sister Edie and their Team, for helping us in these and so many other personal matters of all the 658 Cantor victim's families.
The funds entrusted to us have given hope and joy to many young people over the past years and will continue so for the next 4-5 years. 2005 saw a young special child going to summer camp; the Don Mills Collegiate Student of the Year received an endowment in Ralph's name and so is the Junior Achievement's Company of the Year Award in Ralph's name supporting young future entrepreneurs. These funds also allowed us to co-host 2 weekends for 85 young women and men for the Tiger Woods Self Esteem Improvement Seminar.
Someone said; young people may be only 30% of today's population but they will be 100% of tomorrow's leaders.
To the world Ralph was one of the 9/11 victims, to us, he was the world!
His loving parents and brother who miss him so much.
