Jayceryll M. deChavez

Dreams in the Clouds
Jayceryll deChavez never came across like a know-it-all. He was smart but soft-spoken. Still, he had his ambitions. For the longest time, he had dreamed of working in one of the twin towers of the World Trade Center. He even told his mother that he wanted to build his own tower. Mr. deChavez got part of his wish. He worked as an assistant to the portfolio manager at Fiduciary Trust, a job that his parents said he loved, in Tower 2. He was 24 and had just passed the first level of a test to become a financial analyst. He was eager to take a review class for the next level next month. He lived in Carteret, N.J., with his parents, Bibiano and Asuncion deChavez. Despite his humble manner, his parents said, Mr. deChavez never had to struggle to ace tests. He had been at the top of his class from elementary school through Rutgers, where he studied finance and economics. "He was a very ambitious guy," his father said.

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on September 16, 2001.


Jayceryll de Chavez, 24, driven to succeed

Jayceryll de Chavez loved his first name. It was a combination of the names of his two grandfathers -- Jacinto and Cirilo -- and he believed it was a fitting tribute to the two patriarchs of his family.

"He is very proud of that name," his sister Aizza de Chavez said. "It is such a unique name. Nobody else has that name."

The 24-year-old portfolio analyst for Fiduciary Trust always dreamed he would some day work in the World Trade Center. He accomplished that, but he was also driven to become a CEO at a major company before his 40th birthday. So -- as was his habit -- he was at his desk on the 95th floor of the South Tower early on the morning of Sept. 11.

"He loved his job," his sister said. "He was always fascinated by the Twin Towers, and he just started working there this year. He was so proud when he got that job. We were all very proud because it was his dream to work there."

Aizza de Chavez said her brother, who already had passed part of the test to become a financial analyst, was hoping to return to school to get his MBA.

"He's so focused on his career," she said. "He always says he doesn't want to work for money. He wants his money to work for him."

Mr. de Chavez received his degree in finance and economics from Rutgers two years earlier. He was active in his fraternity, Delta Chi, serving as the colony secretary. He participated in track and field and basketball while at Carteret High School.

He lived in Carteret with his parents, Bibiano and Asuncion, his two sisters, Aizza and Maria Aimee. Aizza de Chavez last saw her brother alive when he left for work at 6:30 a.m. that fateful day.

After the first plane struck the North Tower, the family frantically tried calling Mr. de Chavez at his desk, but they got his voice mail. Co-workers believe he was in the cafeteria at the time of the attack, but no one knows for sure.

Not knowing for sure what took place that day bothers his family the most. "I just want to know what happened," Aizza de Chavez said. "We're having a memorial service, but we still hope for a miracle. We all still pray every day.

"I just miss him so much. He's my best friend. He's younger than me, but he's always been my adviser -- not just to me, but to my whole family."

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at noon tomorrow at St. Joseph's Church in Carteret.