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John Gnazzo Obituary
Work did not seem like work if your boss was John Gnazzo. It seemed like fun. What else could you think if you sat down at your desk and heard a whoopee cushion emit its inimitable sound? Yes, John Gnazzo was up to his tricks.
Mr. Gnazzo, 32, was vice president for operations at Cantor Fitzgerald, and his sunny disposition and impish inclinations enabled people to get their work done efficiently but also amply enjoy themselves. One of his co-workers suggested that Mr. Gnazzo made every day at the office seem like a Sunday afternoon.
Mr. Gnazzo, who lived in Manhattan with his wife, Helene, and their children, John Vincent, 3, and Jule, 8 months, had deeply etched memories of the World Trade Center. During the 1993 bombing, he helped a woman who was in a wheelchair down 60 flights of stairs. Several years ago, his father, an electrician, had a heart attack while working in the trade center and died. And for reasons he couldn't explain, Mr. Gnazzo seemed to have premonitions of his own destiny. He would tell his wife: "You're going to live into your 80's. I'm going to die young."
But nothing inhibited his innate generosity. It showed up early. When he was 11, he made deliveries for a cheese shop in Greenwich Village. Anytime he made a delivery to an old woman, he never accepted any money. When he got back to the shop, he paid for those orders out of his own pocket.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Daryl Vanest
September 11, 2019
Eighteen years? I can't believe it. Seems like we were in Marina del Rey. You made my trips to the NY office so much fun. It's incredible how many loved you. The posts are amazing. Miss you so very much!
Daryl Vanest
September 12, 2016
Fifteen years, and still missing you. ♡
Daryl Vanest
September 11, 2014
Another year without you, and so many other Cantor friends. It doesn't seem possible.
Think of you so often, especially on this date.
I tell myself I'm going to the Memorial, but to be honest, don't know if I can.
Much love to your beautiful family!
I miss you!
Daryl Vanest
September 11, 2012
Today makes 11 years without you, your smile, wit, charm, and friendship. You'll always be remembered, and live on through your beautiful children.
Miss you, and all the other Cantor "family" members who were taken so very early.
Love to you all!
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September 11, 2012
Rest in Peace John. God bless you & your family xoxo
Laverne Grant
August 21, 2012
It's getting close to another year that the world is not blessed with a fun,loving and caring man.I will never forget such a beautiful person,God bless John's Family and watch over his Precious children.R.I.P.
Millard Thomas
August 18, 2012
RIP Buddy
Denise Hand
September 11, 2011
Gnazzo You are a great guy :) You could never be forgotten
laverne grant
September 11, 2011
i miss you gnazzo i wil remember your teasing and laughter always, may god bless your family r.i.p. boss
Kimberly Galiardo
September 11, 2011
May God bless the Gnazzo family on this somber day and everyday to come. John was a great guy and we were all lucky to have known him. He will live forever in our hearts.
George LaCombe
September 10, 2011
To the Gnazzo Family. I just completed a 911 remembrance walk/run in Las Vegas. It was my Honor to be selected to walk in Memory of John.
"Missed but never forgotten"
Daryl Vanest
August 31, 2011
John, I can't believe it's been a decade without you in this world. I think of you and all the fun we had in NY & LA! I pray for you, and all our other lost friends so often. I'd love to see the "babies" you had, almost grown now. I haven't been back to NY since 9/11, but once the memorial is complete, I'll be there to cry with millions of others!
I loved you, my friend. Always know that.
Daryl
jule gnazzo
November 13, 2010
Dad
There was not a day that i forgotten you love you dad ! <3
JULE GNAZZO
November 2, 2009
HI DADDY I MISS YOU SO MUCH AND I LOVE YOU WITH ALL MY HEART .MOM ME AND JOHN MISS YOU SO MUCH .SAY HI TO PAPA FOR ME .LOVE YOUR LITTLE GIRL
Meredith Start
September 11, 2008
Another year has gone by but you are not and never will be forgotten.
Meredith Start
September 11, 2007
Gnazzo,
As another anniversary of your ascending into heaven passes, know that you, and the ones you love, are not forgotten.
Kristine
October 26, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
P Tabbernor
October 22, 2006
In memory....
Meredith Start
September 11, 2006
Happy 5th Anniversary in Heaven. You and your loved ones will always be in my thoughts, heart, and prayers.
Patty Fallone
September 10, 2006
It will be my honor to read John's name along with my husband's at the 5th memorial at Ground Zero. Your family will be in my prayers that day and always.
Robert Bernard
April 11, 2006
When I last saw Johnny, he must have been about 8 years old. He was the youngest of the three boys, and looked up to his brothers so much , he always seemed to follow them around wherever they went. When I read the post about how he loved the Dan Marino-Miami Dolphins, it made me smile because I remember how much Nicky used to like the Bob Griese-Dolphins. I remember a sweet little boy, always smiling, very bright and loved to laugh. Nicky and I were schoolmates and good friends in those days on 74th street, and I never have forgotten those boys. It is so clear to me that Johnny made an indelible, lasting impression on so many people in his time here. To all his family and loved ones, I wish you peace and good thoughts now and always.
Meredith Start
September 12, 2005
It's hard to believe it has been four years since that dreadful day. You will never be forgotten.
God Bless You and All Who Hold You Dear.
Rosalie Yako
September 11, 2005
I grew up with John Gnazzo. He and my brother George were best friends and John was like a brother to us. He spent a lot of time in our home and as everyone is mentioning, he made us laugh a lot. He was a great person and he is deeply missed. My brother misses him very much and he is in my family’s thoughts and prayers very very often. Our prayers go out to his family.
Laurie Holm
September 16, 2004
Dear Helene and family,
I am a member of The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team in Training Triathlon team. On Saturday 9/11/04 I competed in my first Olympic distance triathlon. In honor of the 3rd anniversary of this terrible tragedy, the organizers of this event gave each participant the name of someone who perished in the WTC attacks on 9/11/01. I was fortunate enough to get John's name. I placed his name on an American Flag and put it in the sand at Lover's Point Cove in Monterey, CA. I also had his name stuck to my race number as well. After reading all the wonderful things about John, I am very honored to have raced in this event in honor of your husband. He has been described as someone that I probably would have been friends with and the type of person that I strive to be in helping others.
God Bless you and your family and I will never forget John and will race in his honor for years to come.
Meredith Start
September 11, 2004
Gnazzo,
Happy 3rd Anniversary in Heaven. You will never be forgotten.
God Bless You and Yours
kimberly galiardo
September 7, 2004
I just want to let Helen and all of John's family know that they, as well as john, are always in my prayer's. I grew up whith John and Helen, and even though I havent seen them for i dont know how long I think about you often. John was always a great guy. i was lucky to have known him.
C. Ingrassia
February 5, 2004
Dear Gnazzo family, I am so sorry for your loss. My Husband and I were lucky enough to get to know John well. He was and always will be known as a Smart, Funny, Caring man. We lost contact with John A couple of years before Sept. 11th but we never forgot about him. To his wife my heart goes out to you and your children. May you stay strong.
John F. Gnazzo at work
John F. Gnazzo
January 28, 2003
Dear family of John T. Gnazzo.
I would like to express my condolences on behalf from the family of John F. Gnazzo.
I know that John will be missed.
I am John F. Gnazzo of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The son of Dan "Sonny" Gnazzo formally of the Bronx, and now of Colorado, and the grandson of the late John Gnazzo of Yonkers.
Sincerely,
John F. Gnazzo
Colette
September 13, 2002
John:
You are truly missed by all of us.
All those nights, you, Tom, Vinny and Mondo snuck up the stairs to Windows on the World..In a million years who would ever think you would be sharing life with now death, at the place you loved the most. Blowing up the Company Credit Card (ha, ha). I know that you are now smiling down on all of us. Your sense of humor will truly be missed. I am not sure if you are with the rest of your team up there... but you are defintly a guardian angel. To your wife, not only did she loss her husband. But a dear friend to all. God Bless.
Colette
Kellvin Chavez
September 11, 2002
I worked with John for 2 years at Cantor Fitzgerald, and he was a just great fun person to work with. He loved those Miami Dolphins when Dan Marino was QB at the time. To this date he was and is the BEST BOSS I ever had. He taught me everything I know about Wall Street and back office work. If there was a problem he was there for you all the time. My prayers go to the Gnazzo Family and to his beautiful children.
God Bless you
Kellvin
Meredith Start
September 9, 2002
Gnazzo,
Happy 1st Anniversary in Heaven. You will never be forgotten.
Angie Campbell
April 26, 2002
God Bless you and the family and frineds that you left behind on 9/11/01. Rest in peace..........
gabriela gnazzo
March 11, 2002
my name is gabriela gnazzo i was born in montevideo uruguay and my great grandparents are from italy...when i saw that a john gnazzo was among the missing i just could not beleive it...i always had a very special adoration for the city of new york, now i know why...
my prayers go to john gnazzo's family ...
love
gabriela gnazzo
Enzo
March 11, 2002
To the Family and New friends John made.. I just wanted to say how sorry I am for the pain and suffering you are going through. I grew up with John all through elementary school. Throughout our childhood together John always made me laugh. I remember staying over John's house when I was a child.. The things he used to say to make us laugh are things we are still laughing about 20+ years later. As time went on, I lost touch with John.. Our lives grew apart and time seperated us. However, the words he spoke, the jokes he told, the times we shared, the games we played, and the fun we had will always be remembered.. Remembered by myself, and all of my friends. To this day, we still tell a joke he told over 20 years ago. That is the type of Charismatic individual John was.. 20 years and his words are still repeated.. And I know 20 years from now, his wife will be echoing those same words to his children. With all my love, I am sorry for your loss.
Enzo Da Baker
Diane Massaroli
March 2, 2002
John, I am so sorry thet we never met. I know that you and my husband Michael are together now and I am so grateful for that because he really liked you and he thought you were so funny. You and Michael were right, Helene and I really do get along well and I know that we will be friends for a long time. Diane
Anonymous
January 26, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS BEAUTIFUL YOUNG LIFE JOHN T.GNAZZO AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE AND CHILDREN..FAMILY AND FRIENDS.GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01.MAY ST. JOHN MEET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN..AMEN
helene gnazzo
January 18, 2002
John Gnazzo, a man whom i will always love and honor. A very unique person, with the ability to achieve anything he put his mind to. He had it all smarts, leadership, confidence, loving heart and the looks of an actor. I am so happy to have built a binding relationship with you and together we made a family. I promise you my love, that as long as my eyes are open our children will have the best of everything, just as you would have wanted. They will never not know you for I will always speak of you as if you were in our lives physcially. They will feel proud for their father was a great man. You have taught me so much. Your teaching has given me the strengh to go on with confidence and teach our children leadership, and love. You are literally the wind beneath my wings. Wherever life leads me you must know my heart belongs to you. Thank you for being part of my life. R.I.P.
Teresa Jahn
December 30, 2001
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Eric Rodriguez
December 24, 2001
I worked with John for 3 years at Cantor Fitzgerald, and he was a fun person to work with. He was always there when you had a problem and always had time to listen. My prayers go to the Gnazzo Family. God Bless You.
Misha Gnazzo
October 31, 2001
Hi! I'm John's little sister. I didn't know many of his friends of co-workers. Just wanted to let you know that our family thanks everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We miss John sooo much!
Meredith Start
October 8, 2001
Out of all of the people I knew I Cantor, losing John hurts the most. Although I haven't seen him or spoke to him in several years, I remember him as a sweet, loving man and silly memories haunt me. My heart goes out to his wife and children.
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