Jackson Heights, New York
A Devoted Father
After finishing his morning shift as a security guard at the Deutsche Bank, next to 2 World Trade Center, Francisco Bourdier always watched his 22-month-old daughter, Francesca, every afternoon and evening. He took her just about everywhere -- to the stores near their home in Jackson Heights, to the park, the movies, even the auto repair shop. He put her in for a daily nap about 5 p.m., then drove with her to Manhattan about 10 each weeknight to pick up his wife, Erma, the evening office manager in a hotel.
"That was his life -- his daughter," Mrs. Bourdier said. "They had a special bond."
When Francesca was an infant, her father, 40, regularly gave her the 2 a.m. bottle. More recently, he bought her Winnie the Pooh software and tried to interest her in computers, his hobby.
"Most of the time she played with the mouse," her mother said.
He also had started fixing her hair in a ponytail. "It wasn't really, like, good," Mrs. Bourdier said. "But he did it."
Hello Mrs Bourdier, I worked at 130 Liberty and I didn´t know your husbands name until last year when I found his photo at the 9/11 museum. I remembered his face when I saw it in the wall. I remembered his smile and how kind he was. My heart goes out to you and your family. He was a hero and will never be forgotten by the hundreds of people that saw him everyday at 130 Liberty. God bless you. Ron M
Ron McKee
September 12, 2023 | Work
My uncle that I never got to remember, but was told so many great things you did for me when I was just a little boy. We miss you profoundly.
Enmanuel Bourdier
September 12, 2023 | Portland, OR | Family
Our prayers are with you on this painful anniversary.
Edouard Bourdier
September 09, 2021 | Other
Remembering Francisco on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Cindy Roe
September 02, 2021
I pause today to pray for Francisco's wife and daughter and for all of his friends and family. We will never forget.
Del Newberry
February 27, 2018 | Garland, TX
Yremil Rosario
September 11, 2016 | New York, NY
colin Groarke
November 06, 2015
One of my 8th grade students wrote about Francisco as part of an assignment to interview an adult who vividly remembered September 11. My students were born in 2001, and I want them to know about this important day in U.S. History, as most of them weren't even born on that day. I came to this site and read about his heroics. I want to thank him here for his devotion to the safety of others. God bless his wife and daughter, and God bless Francisco.
Fer Kretschmer
September 17, 2014 | Daly City, CA
You will never be forgotten Francisco. I still see you smiling at the bottom of the escalators. You are a guardian angel to many of us. All my love and prayers to you and your family.
Jay G
September 11, 2013 | Brooklyn, NY