Kenneth Basnicki: Still an
Inspiration
It's
pretty normal to not listen to what your father has to
say," said Erica Basnicki, speaking for herself and other
22-year-olds. "Now it's funny how many times I say, 'Dad
always said this.' I actually listen to him more
now."
Her father, Kenneth Basnicki, financial marketing
director for BEA Systems, was meeting co-workers at the
World Trade Center on Sept. 11.
She remembers how he helped her when her college
application was rejected, encouraging her to do some
research and write letters. "Nothing else mattered at
that moment other than me getting into university, and I
did," she said.
Mr. Basnicki, who lived in Toronto, brought that same
determination to recreation -- mountain biking, golfing,
skiing and snowboarding with his wife, Maureen, and son,
Brennan, in addition to his daughter. At 48, he had a
group of friends who enjoyed snowboarding together. "We
called them the grays on trays," Erica Basnicki said.
Now she hopes to study journalism in New York City.
"The best way to honor my dad for me is to not be scared,
and to live and go to school in New York," she said. "I
know my dad's fighting for me somehow. He'll work his
magic, and I'll work my magic over here."
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