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Thomas Fitzpatrick: He Made His Calls

 

Thomas Fitzpatrick briefly dated a woman named Marianne during his days at Boston College. Perhaps her name was Maryanne, or Mary Ann. It escapes the memory of his real Marianne, the one who lived around the corner when they were children in the Bronx, who was his steady girl in high school and to whom he wrote each day during their separation. She was the one he married in 1994, who kept their home in Tuckahoe, N.Y., and bore the two children he adored, Brendan and Caralyn.

"When we finally got married, everyone teased us about how long it took," said Mrs. Fitzpatrick.

The lengthy courtship was consistent with the 35-year-old Mr. Fitzpatrick's patient, methodical approach to his work as a bond salesman and financial adviser at Sandler O'Neill & Partners. Mr. Fitzpatrick made daily calls to clients from his office on the 104th Floor of the south tower. After the first hijacked jetliner hit the north tower, he was making the calls again, assuring them he was in no danger. "I never met a more thorough financial adviser," said Thomas Wirth, a longtime client.

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From "Profiles in Grief" of The New York Times