On the 8th anniversary of the violent attack on our country, I honor the life of Louis F. Aversano Jr.,
of Manalapan, NJ, who was killed on September 11, 2001.

He was 58 when he died, and was director of operations support and risk services for Aon Corporation,
a job that his daughter recommended; he and his daughter both worked there until just a few weeks
before his death when she went to a different company.

I never met him, but I think I would have enjoyed meeting him. He loved and was loved by his family and
friends. In an interview, one of his daughters related his sense of humor, in remembering how he used to
talk to his fish: "Those were his babies," said Lisa Aversano, Mr. Aversano's youngest daughter. "He would
sneak in to see them early in the morning, and he would talk to them as if they were people. He would say,
'Hi fishies, good morning. Your sister is here to visit. Be nice to her. You guys look so nice today.'
He couldn't help it, she said. After all, he exuded the same sunny disposition when helping to raise his
four children or organizing neighborhood block parties."

There are several tributes to him on the web, including one posted by another daughter, Rose,
with many pictures of him with his family. One very eloquent tribute to him, with more details of his life,
is found here:
http://annapuna.blogspot.com/2006/09/i-remember-louis-f-aversano-jr.html

His son spoke about him: "'Be true to yourself, follow your dreams, love your family, always be happy.'
These are the words my Dad spoke. I honor them. I honor him."

He left behind a wife, a son and three daughters.