We Will Never Forget Hector Tamayo

Let's never forget all those who died on 9-11-01. Among them was Hector Tamayo, age 51. He was a resident of New York, N.Y. (USA) who was killed in the World Trade Center on that day.

His NY Times obituary (link here) said that:

Hector Tamayo loved to sing: Engelbert Humperdinck and Elton John, country music and campfire favorites, especially the one that begins, "Today, while the blossom still clings to the vine . . ."

At home in Holliswood, Queens, he had a karaoke machine with thousands of songs. "He had a lot of friends, most of them are relatives, and on Friday nights and Saturday nights and sometimes weeknights they would drink together and sing together," said his sister-in-law, Sylvia Mercene.

Many of those relatives lived with Mr. Tamayo at some point, because he opened his house to family and friends when they came to the United States from Aklan province in the Philippines, as he had in 1980. "As a joke we call his house the Ellis Island," Ms. Mercene said. Five of his six siblings are now in the United States, as are his wife, Evelyn, and their two children, Ian, 20, and Pamela, 16.

A civil engineer, Mr. Tamayo, 51, was working in 2 World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

His family remembers him as a happy person who loved jokes, his family and, of course, to sing: "A million tomorrows will all pass away/Ere I forget all the joys that were mine today."

We send our prayers to Hector's wife, children, siblings, and many friends--losing a loved one never gets easier. Always hold your memories of Hector close in your heart.

We signed up August 4 for the 2996 Tribute Project honoring the 9/11 victims. We were the 1286th blogger to do so. You can still join too and honor one of those who died that day. A month ago less than half of the victims were spoken for, but today all will have at least one tribute and some have more than one. Bloggers can still sign up HERE.

We are honored to be posting about Hector Tamayo's all too-short, but powerful life this September 11, 2006. We will continue to honor Hector and all who lost their lives 5 years ago--leaving their loved ones behind all too soon. Godspeed, Hector, you will always be remembered with love and thanksgiving...and with a smile while thinking of the joy you brought to those who knew you.


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Related Sites Mentioning Hector Tamayo:

9/11 Victims List: Hector Tamayo

NY Times obituary

9-11 Heroes Memorial Site for Hector

9-11 Tribute Site and Database

Filipino Reporter article which mentions the loss of Hector Tamayo's life

September11thMemorial.com list