New York, New York
Miami and Medieval Poems
Jeffrey Randall Smith met his wife, Ellen Bakalian, eight years ago, while on a diving vacation on Turks and Caicos Islands. Later, he taught her to hunt lobsters and she taught him to sail. She shared her love of medieval poetry; he reciprocated with an appreciation of the Hurricanes, the University of Miami football team.
He lived in Florida, she lived in New York. Hired in 1996 by Sandler O'Neill, Mr. Smith, an equity research analyst, moved to Manhattan. He loved showing friends the view from his office on the 104th floor of 2 World Trade Center.
After Mr. Smith, 36, and Ms. Bakalian were married in 1997, parenthood was the next great exploration. Daughter Margaret was born in 1998, and two years later came Charlotte. Both are November babies.
The family traveled to Europe and went camping, though perhaps their fondest memories are of summers spent sailing, swimming and canoeing at Green Pond in New Jersey. "We were going to put Maggie on skis this year and I'm still going to do it," Ms. Bakalian said.
Just thinking about Jeff today.
Very appreciative of the Jeffrey Randall Smith scholarship - and what it stands for.
Ian Shakil
September 11, 2020 | San Francisco, CA | Acquaintance
Jeff and I wrestled together in high school. Took my family to to the 9/11 Memorial today. So incredibly sad. I pray for your wife and girls Jeff. Surely they have your incredible spirit.
Gary Corless
December 31, 2018 | Jacksonville, FL | Friend
To the "Stone" - always the first to the bottom on every dive - Jay and I would look at each other and then try to catch up (or down as it was). Jay just shared this site with me for this the 17th anniversary of that dispicable day. As many have written, I, too had not kept in touch with Jeff which is my loss but I knew through others that he was doing great with a loving wife and daughters and, as usual, a success in his career. I was on 23rd St that day which is still the worst day of my...
Bill (Sully) Sullivan
September 13, 2018 | Jacksonville, FL | Friend
remembered
September 11, 2016
My brother and my daughter
Jerry Smith
August 24, 2015
It has now been 12 years since that horrible day. I still recall the phone call where I was told that Jeff was missing. I kept hoping that I would receive a second call that Jeff was ok but it never came. Jeff and I were first cousins born less than one month apart. His daughters are growing up to be beautiful young women and I know Jeff is soo proud but I wish he could be here to see them. We will never forget Jeff and his zest for life.
William Rich
September 11, 2013 | Atlanta, GA
Another year and more memories of my friend keep coming back to me. I wish we could talk. It would be amazing to share stories about our girls and how big they are getting or talk about how screwed up the mortgage and banking businesses have become. I think about you all the time, but on this and every anniversary I shed a tear and think what it might be like if my friend Jeff were still alive. I miss you.
Jay Busker
September 11, 2012 | Jacksonville, FL
I just read the story in LHJ (September 2011). My heart goes out to you and your family. May God wrap his arms around you and give you Peace
Margie
September 05, 2011 | PA
I worked with Jeff at J. I. Kislak Mortgage Corporation in the early 1990's. I always remembered Jeff because he was a jolly guy always joking around. I will miss him very much and I offer my condolences to his family on this the eigth anniversary of that tragic day where as Americans we were all affected in some way. God Bless You Jeff.
Jerry Leigh Stokes Jr
September 12, 2009 | Miami, FL