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Yaphet Aryee Obituary
Yaphet J. Aryee was the person everyone went to for advice. "He was born in Ghana so he was the expert on that," said Ely Yulman, who worked with Mr. Aryee as an auditor with the State Division of Taxation and Finance, on the 86th floor of 2 World Trade Center. "He made his furniture when he got married, so people asked him how to fix the stairs in their house, or how to fix the engine in their car. But first of all, he was the smartest corporate tax auditor in the department. Millions and millions he brought in."
Like many other new immigrants, Mr. Aryee, 49, drove a cab when he first arrived in New York as a young man; hacking paid for bachelor's and master's degrees in business administration from Adelphi University. He and his wife, Maria, moved to Rockland County to raise their four children.
But Mr. Aryee never forgot his taxi, and in August he bought his own cab so he could begin driving again. "Only on weekends," Mr. Yulman said. "It was his hobby."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Cindy Roe
August 31, 2021
Remembering Yaphet on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
September 3, 2019
RIP to Mr Aryee, a Twin Towers victim...
R Aryee
September 11, 2014
Cuz, rest in perfect peace.
April Russell
September 11, 2012
I light a candle for you. Rest in Peace!!
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Del Newberry
July 24, 2012
Terrible tragedy that day when many hard-working innocent people like you lost their lives. We will always remember the families and friends of the loved ones lost that day. Love from Texas.
Barbara Boam
March 29, 2012
Barbara Boam & Kim Rogers walked a mile for you (mile #86) on 3/29/12 as a dedication to your life.
December 7, 2011
In today's world it doesn't matter where we live, senseless acts of violence and evil surrounds us. 9/11 is one of the saddest days of my life leaving me to long for the day when we will not have to worry about innocent lives being lost for no reason. I offer my condolences to you in the loss of your loved one and may God give you the comfort that you need to persevere.
Sincerely,
T. Sterling of NC
Kymberli Colbourne
September 11, 2011
We hold you in our hearts.
Melvina Eaton
May 30, 2011
I know I am really late, but I just saw Japhett name on the list. I use to work with him at the Maiden Lane office before the went to the WTC. He was a role model for me always encouraging me to get my college degree. He was a good and kind person who always had something funny to say. My condolences go out to his family and you will truely be missed.
gilberto vunge
April 25, 2008
we have to show more love
Doug Abraham
February 16, 2008
As the days and weeks pass, and as you return to life’s routine, may you continue to feel comforted by the love and support of family and friends.
Kristine
October 13, 2006
As I 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 vane. We will always remember.
September 19, 2006
May your family remember the wonderfuly times you shared during your brief stay on Earth.
P Tabbernor
August 20, 2006
In memory....
Jane Ayele Aryee
April 10, 2004
I never knew him but would like to offer my condolences to his family. A bit late I know but I only just saw Yaphet's name on the list of 9/11. I too am from Ghana.i imagine we are related but don't know how.
RIP
Jane Sinton nee Aryee
Janet Brown-Friday
September 11, 2003
To the Aryee family,
I only knew Yaphet for a couple of years, but what struck me was his dedication to his youngest son and with that I assume his dedication to his whole family. Every time I was priveledged to be in his presence was joyful. From reading his other dedications I see that his joy was universal wherever he went. I did not get a chance to be at his memorial but am glad to be given this opportunity to express my feelings for Yaphet Aryee. I thank Nadege Longchamp for giving me and my husband the priveledge of knowing the Aryee family.
Doug Appel
September 11, 2003
I only met Mr. Aryee once, as he was in the process of building a gazebo in the back yard of one of my best friends. Beautiful work. He was obviously a broadly talented man.
Ruth Hernandez
November 25, 2002
To Ayitey (Mr. Ayree's Son):
Someone you love has gone away, there's very little I can say to remove the sadness that you feel, but somehow time will help you heal. The pain that pierces through your heart, will ease, and you'll begin to start to somehow live your life again, though memories will remain within. A stronger person now you'll be, when others look at you they'll see someone who's different than before because you've experienced so much more.
With all our love from your friends in Puerto Rico (Héctor, Michael, Johnathan, Gury, Jennifer, Karla, Mirelys, Carlos, Karen, Alex, Grandpa and Grandma, Ceci, Bimbo, Andrew, Guangue, Gardy, Lissette, Janina and, of course, me). Hope to see you again someday!
Evans GOKA
September 12, 2002
" Procrastination is only a thief of time. "
I learned this lesson a very hard way. J.J. the Thunderbird, as we called him at Accra Academy, was a very good friend and classmate of mine(1969)The last time I saw him was in 1970. I went back to Ghana in 1999 and was told J.J. was in the States. I got his #, called him up and we had a long and rewarding chat. By providence, his daughter Ayikailey and my daughter Delali knew each other in Northeastern University.
J.J. and I spoke on the phone regularly and anytime we decided to meet, something happened and we did not. It was a shock to me when my daughter called to tell me to pray for her friend Ayikailey because her dad , J.J. had perished in the WTC . I regretted for not seeing JJ. So close yet so far away.
The lesson I learned is that we should never postpone for tomorrow what we can do today.
J.J., may you rest in peace. We love you and we will miss you greatly.
Evans
Barry Cooper
September 11, 2002
I didn't find out that Mr. Aryee had been in the WTC until well into the year - it upset me a lot. I was good friends with his oldest son as well as his daughter and younger son while in high school. All three are such great people - always smiling and bringing a smile to your face. They are a living tribute to their father.
Novlette White
September 11, 2002
Japhet, Maria and I attended Adelphi University together. They were my chaperone on a date with a guy I had just met. Japhet was very good at getting discount coupons for dinner. So the 3 of us went to dinner a couple of times, one most memorable night was dinner and dancing at the Playboy Club in New York. Maria knew one way to get Japhet's goat was by saying she liked Rev. Ike (a popular flamboyant minister who was at his peak in the 70s). Rev. Ike loved to spend money all of which he took for his church and Japhet thought anyone who would give this minister a cent was stupid. There are many more memories I could share but in essence he was a very kind person. One other trait I would add was methodical. At school I once observed him making a "toss" salad by cutting up each ingredient and then layering the items. Japhet you may be gone but you will not be forgotten.
ernest kotey
September 11, 2002
to mrs aryee,
japhet was my mate in the class of 1969 at accra academy,ghana, and a close buddy.he was popularly known as j.j..on his last visit home he managed to trace my residence thru other mates and we had an emotional time together since we had not seen each other for over 30 years.i only got to know of his death this may and needless to say i was devastated. he was a thoroughly nice person,unassuming with a great sense of humour and very open. i recall him speaking glowingly about you when we were updating each other on how we had fared in the matrimonial park.on this anniversary of his death please accept my belated condolences and be comforted in the thought that we his friends back in ghana will forever have positive memories of him. his old school will also remeber him not only for his intellect but also for the tremendous contributions he made to the school's achievements in athletics.god bless you and your children
Mary Aryee
September 4, 2002
I have never met Mr. Aryee but when I learned that he was my father's cousin my heart was broken knowing that I had a family member in the WTC building. I also want to send condolences to his family and may he rest in peace.
Angie Campbell
April 22, 2002
God Bless you and all of the ones that you loved. Peace to all.
Jennifer Warchal
March 10, 2002
Mr. Aryee, I only met you once, but I want to thankyou for bringing Ayikaile into my life. God Bless You in Heaven.
Teresa Jahn
January 9, 2002
We are very sorry for your loss of Yaphet. May his life and love live on in you. May the sorrow you feel be lightened by warm memories of times together. Our hearts cry with you.
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
Anne Murphy
December 12, 2001
God Bless you Japhet, and God Bless your family. You will be sorely missed. You were a first class auditor and great witness!
IRENE STAPINSKI
December 4, 2001
GOD BLESS YAPHET J.ARYEE AND MAY HE
REST IN PEACE..GOD BLESS HIS FAMILY
AND FRIENDS..GOD BLESS AMERICA FOREVER AND MAY WE NEVER FORGET 9/11/01
Japhet in NYC chinatown, Sept 1998
M Tsui
December 3, 2001
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