I Remember
Francisco Muñoz
WTC

Francisco Munoz, 29, New York, NY
computer consultant, Directfit
Reported missing *

Little more has been written in the newspapers about Francisco (Frank) Muñoz; Frank was a young man, a family man, only 29 years old the last time he was seen. Yet thanks to his beloved family, I do know something about this man who was loved by so many.

Frank’s wife, Cathy, wrote in thanks to well-wishers in a message online:

I can not speak of Frank in the past because to me he still lives if only in my heart. Meeting Frank was the best thing that ever happened to me because he brought happiness into everyones lives. (Even though he was bad about separating the laundry. Ha!Ha!) Two years and one month has passed,things aren’t easier; I just learned how to hide the pain.

It’s been three years since she left that message, and I’m guessing the mask, the “hiding,” has become a habit, but the hole in her heart hasn’t healed.

Nor has it healed for Roberto Alberti, Frank’s cousin. He writes,

I want Frank to know that I will try my best to make sure that his mom is ok.

I feel that Frank gave me a gift before September 11th that I will carry on to my daughter. The Christmas season prior to 9/11 he and his wife invited me to his apartment for a Christmas party he was having with his closest friends. As a present he gave me two candles that he made that resembled a champagne glass. I keep one of the candles in my office next to a picture of the World Trade Center. I will light that candle every September 11th.

The best thing that I remember about Frank was that even as a child he was like my window to my large family that is scatter from Los Angeles to New York and the Dominican Republic. He liked to call me and give me the latest updates of how everyone was doing. That is who Frank was. He was into his mom, extended family, career, wife and best of all he was a compassionate person that was driven to succeed.

And in a letter Roberto wrote to Frank after that day:

Our young ages make us feel like there is no tomorrow.
If I knew then what I know now… I would of told you so much more in that last phone call.

Although it has been three months since I last spoke to you,
I can vividly remember the things we spoke about.
You told me how much you loved your new job and career.
I can tell by the tone of your voice you were enjoying life.
It was obvious your love for your wife was strong, I never heard you sound happier.

You then made small talk with Maria and then we confirmed that we would get together soon with all of your friends. That was 10:00PM September 10th.

Frank was just twenty-nine years old, but what a wonderful life he had! A beautiful wife who loved him so, and whom he loved passionately. He was probably thinking about expanding that extended family a bit too, now that he had that college degree and technical certifications and a great new job with its limitless potential. He has family everywhere that looked at Frank with pride, as any family would.

Another of Frank’s cousins, Ed T. in California, wrote this about Frank:

Simply put, Frank was “the baby” of a whole generation of first cousins. We range in age from 50 to 20 and we were a fairly tight Dominican-American-Puerto Rican family. Frank, in a lot of ways, was the glue. Unlike many of us who moved far away from the neighborhood in Queens where we grew up, Frank moved a few miles up the road, into the heart of downtown Flushing, keeping close to his roots and his family.

He busted his a** to graduate from University, found a good woman, got married and started working to build a better life for himself and his wife. He worked and continued his education at night. Shortly before Sept. 11th, he had completed his certification on Cisco and Microsoft networks and was looking for the great new jobs that would soon be available to him.

His job at the WTC was one of those great new jobs.

Through it all, he worked at keeping up with everyone. He’s the one who called, prodded, cajoled people into keeping in touch. If he was needed, he was there in a heartbeat - even to me, who lived 3000 miles away. I knew that if I needed Frank, he would jump on a plane in a second to come help me out. He did our cousin’s taxes. Oh, did I mention he was a Certified Accountant? He loved people and life, but, mostly, he loved his family. All of us.

Frank grew up in Queens, and now there is a street in Queens that bears his name today–Francisco Munoz Way. I believe that had there been no 9/11 attacks, a street may well have borne his name some day anyway. Frank had that many people who loved him that much, and had that bright of a future.

Cathy, Roberto, Ed, mother Altagracia, godfather Luis, and all of Frank’s beloved family, you are so blessed to have had Frank in your lives. I only know of him what I’ve read from you, and your words have ensured I will never forget him either. It is an honor for me to know him even in this small way. May you find peace knowing that others will know of the love that you shared and the way he changed your lives for the better. Que Dios lo bendiga, y que en paz descanse.

Frank Muñoz
August 20, 1972 - September 11, 2001
(reported missing)