Monday, September 11, 2006 - A Tribute ~ Jose "Bien" Bienvenido Gomez
Posted in: September 11th
Jose Bienvenido Gomez, age 45, kitchen worker,
Windows on the World, at or in the building at the time of the attacks. I cannot tell you how many times I have read this now. I don't want to leave his story at that. So I went searching. Here's what I learned.
As far as I can tell, his nickname was "Bien" (I am guessing from his middle name) and he was referred to as that by many people.
Jose was born in the Dominican Republic.
I believe he was the oldest of 4 sons. I don't know if he had any sisters or if his parents are still alive. Jose's family suffered a double loss on September 11th, as his brother, Enrique, age 42, was also killed that day. Apparently both men worked in the restaurant. I found this: On Sept. 11, Miguel and Ramone Gomez, who also worked in the kitchen with their older brothers, Enrique and Jose, had been scheduled to work, but were not there when the planes hit.
"In life and in tragedy, Enrique and Jose Gomez were brothers determined to share every moment together. They worked together, slicing vegetables and cleaning seafood, in the kitchen of Windows on the World. At times they lived together. Even when they did not, Enrique 42, and Jose 44, both fathers of teenagers, always made time to dream together, envisioning themselves one day sitting in the stands at Yankee Stadium, just like the people on television, sharing beers and rooting for the boys in pinstripes.
For the Gomez family, there is peace in knowing that the brothers disappeared as they lived. "So many people down there, they had no one," said Maglais Gomez, a niece. "At least Enrique and Jose, they had each other to comfort."
~Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on October 1, 2001.
According to an online source "Jose was married and his wife, Blanca, and 3 children live in NYC. His wife used to work in a clothing factory but is no longer working. The tragedy has led to depression for Blanca. The girls, Joanna and Joana(?) (13, twins) and Melissa (10) have also been deeply affected by the tragedy."
I found this note from his daughter on a memory site recently:
"Jose B. Gomez was 45 years old and worked in the restaurant Windows on The World. His brother Enrique Gomez also died on that day. Jose was my father and all i can say is that he was the best father ever. He loved me and my sisters very much and he loved to see us happy. He loved to dance his music which was merengue and bachata. My father was always happy and had the best smile ever. I miss him so much. I love Him!!!"
*** Posted by Joanna Gomez on 2006-07-22 ***
To see quilt squares made for the brothers please click here:
Jose's _fcksavedurl="http://www.unitedinmemory.net/quilt.php?quilt=1196>Jose's"
Enrique's
NEW: From: Randy
Date: 02/10/2006
Message: jose (aka) **bien** man i miss you so much you were the best uncle i ever are and you still are god bless you you will always be in my heart and my family's heart as well man take care R.I.P
NEW: http://www.legacy.com/GB/GuestbookView.aspx?PersonId=116452
NEW: There were 73 Windows on the World employees there that morning. Source: USA Today posting dtd 8/28/2003 9:03 PM
NEW: Learn more about Windows of Hope
Family Relief Fund was formed to provide aid, future scholarships and funds to the families of the victims of the World Trade Center tragedy who worked in the food, beverage and hospitality professions throughout the entire complex and who were lost on September 11th.
NEW:
http://www.opentable.com/rest_profile.aspx?rid=5154>
A new restaurant has been opened by former WOTW workers. Read more about _fcksavedurl=" http://www.newyorkbusiness.com/news.cms?id=12604>" Colors here and here.
And if you are in the NYC area Click here for a special event!
Well, that's what I learned. There's so much more I'd like to know...but what I hope I've been able to do here is share "Bien" with you a little bit. Honor him. Remember him. Let his family know I still care. We, America, still care. Still pray for them. Still grieve with them. And we will never forget.
As we remember this day and those who paid the ultimate price, please take time to remember their families that are still suffering. They need our support, love and above all, our prayers.
On a personal note, as a military family, not a day goes by that we do not think about this event. We continue to sacrifice daily to protect our country and to make those regimes that did this and those that support them accountable for their heinous crimes and actions. We will not rest until this is done. We humbly ask your support and prayers for our military.
Note: there were 2995 other victims on 9/11. You can read about each of them at 2996, _fcksavedurl="http://www.dcroe.com/2996/>2996," Honouring the 9/11 Victims If you take the time to read each day, you will need EIGHT YEARS to get through the list.
Note: I had to rely heavily on a web translator because I lack the ability to speak Spanish so I apologize if any of my facts are inaccurate and welcome Jose's family members to contact me to correct anything.
Should you need a translator try this: babelfish.altavista.com/
Sources:
http://www.september11victims.com/September11victims/VictimInfo.asp?ID=1220
http://www.9-11heroes.us/v/Jose_Bienvenido_Gomez.php
http://terroristattack.com/messages.php?id=1099
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/people/3507.html
http://www.legacy.com/Sept11.asp?Page=TributeStory&PersonId=116452
http://www.unitedinmemory.net/quilt.php?quilt=1196
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