September 11 2011 update:
Click this Wired New York link discussion group on more information on the St Nicholas church that George Paris attended.
On the rebuilding of the church, see the Rebuilding link and to donate to rebuild the church.
Click the Cantor Families memorial page to read the memorials from his co-workers.
Update: St Nicholas church web page
Please check the Facebook page on helping this church.
And to the Paris family, you are in my prayers and my family's prayers today and everyday.
Update on the church that George Paris attended and it's rebuilding efforts.
St. Nicholas is irrevocably tied to the future of Ground Zero. The church cannot rebuild or even draw up design plans until all of the complex ownership, security and architectural issues surrounding the World Trade Center site are sorted out.
What happened that day:
On September 11th, as No.2 World Trade Center collapsed, the entire weight of this enormous structure came down on St. Nicholas Church, completely obliterating the building and its contents.
For the 2,996 project, bloggers were assigned names at random.
I have George Paris.
The first sentence I read, that he was born on November 11, hit me. That is my wedding anniversary. It is also Veteran's Day.
From the Cantor Families Memorial:
George Paris was born on November 11, 1967 to Michail and Rose. He grew up in Brooklyn and Queens in the Greek Orthodox tradition. He loved to play baseball and football with his friends in Brooklyn, and the friends he made lasted his whole lifetime.
When he got older he became interested in playing the drums. Later on he played with many bands in nightclubs around Manhattan. After high school, he got his Bachelor's degree in Business from Baruch College
In 1990 he met Christina, and they dated for 11 years while they both went to school, Christina studying Veterinary Technology and George studying Business and Finance at C.W. Post campus of Long Island University. During those years they had fun taking Christina's daughter Stacey to Disneyland and other places, horseback riding, hiking, traveling to Greece and London, going to plays and comedy clubs in the city, and just being in love.
George and Christina got married in June of 2001, and had baby Constantina the same year. She had only three months with her father. George was working for Cantor Fitzgerald, and only one semester away from his MBA degree when he was taken from this world by terrible hatred. He is very much missed by his family and friends, but will always be remembered for his love of life, silly sense of humor, loyalty, and generosity. Rest in peace, George.
Only three months with his daughter, and only 33 years old, with a life unfolding.
Other news sources from that day:
Among others reported missing: Thomas Damaskinos, Anthony Demas, Ramzi Doany, Constantine "Gus" Economos, Vassili Haramis, Steve Kokkinos, Danielle Kousoulis, George Merkouris, George Paris, Daphne Pauletsos, Stephen Emanuel Poulos, Timothy Soulas, William Tselepis, Steve Zannetos. The missing worked for companies that included Cantor Fitzgerald, Morgan Stanley, Carr Futures, The Washington Group, and AON.
The tiny church building was constructed around 1832. It originally was a residence and later housed a tavern before the founders of the parish purchased the structure. It measured 22 feet wide in front, 20 feet, 11 inches in the back, and about 56 feet long. It was 35 feet tall. On three sides it was bounded by a parking lot.
Greek immigrants established St. Nicholas Church in 1916 and purchased the structure for $25,000. It was one of two old calendar parishes under the Archdiocese until 1993 when it switched to the Gregorian calendar. Among the church's unique characteristics were its small size and its icons, which were a gift from the last czar of Russia, Nicholas II.
The city of Bari, Italy, where the relics of St. Nicholas were originally bestowed, has donated $250,000. The government of Greece has contributed $750,000 to these efforts, and the Ecumenical Patriarchate has given $50,000. The Governor of the State of New York, George Pataki, met with the Archbishop and pledged his support for including a new St. Nicholas in the redevelopment of the World Trade Center site.
