JOAO AGUIAR: A Knack for Defying
Odds
Last year, while sailing off the coast of New Jersey,
Joao Aguiar was knocked unconscious by the flying boom of
his catamaran and fell into a coma. The prognosis wasn't
good, but he emerged from unconsciousness two days later.
In two weeks he was out of the hospital. His uncle,
Raymond S. Smith, said he was not surprised that his
nephew defied the odds.
"J.J. is a strong, athletic guy," he said. "Just like
then, I'm sure he'll pull through."
Joao, 30, of Monmouth Beach, N.J., worked for KBW
Investments on the 86th floor of the south tower. Raymond
said he had learned from co-workers that his nephew made
it to the 76th floor.
"He's resourceful, a really smart kid," said Raymond,
who raised his nephew after his parents returned to
Portugal while Joao was still in high school.
Joao was crazy about horses, and he recently met a
woman while riding. He was was planning to move in with
his girlfriend, who owns a horse farm in Colts Neck,
N.J., Raymond said. "For the first time in his life, he
was in love," he said.
.
