Woodstock, New York
In a Hero's Nature
Ken Cubas was not a fireman or a police officer, not one of the uniformed men who stormed up the stairs of the World Trade Center while fleeing office workers streamed down. Mr. Cubas, 48, was a vice president at Fiduciary Trust. Yet his wife's solace comes from hearing of her husband's bravery.
In the hours after the towers crumbled, Kerry Flood Cubas got several telephone calls from Ken's colleagues, reporting that he had helped them reach safety from 2 World Trade. One caller, Mrs. Cubas said, saw him outside the building and begged him not to return. He ignored those pleas.
"I take tremendous consolation in knowing he died so nobly," she said from the couple's home in Woodstock, N.Y. "He had a choice. He knew the risk he was taking and he wasn't deterred. His nature brought him to his death and I find beauty in that."
Ken and Kerry Cubas have been together for 25 years. Mr. Cubas was a Big Brother to Oscar Zapata, an inner-city youngster, whom he befriended when the boy was 11. They remained close after Mr. Zapata joined the Army. Mr. and Mrs. Cubas were also mentoring Oscar's sister, Marlene.
"He died as he lived," Mrs. Cubas said, "helping others."
Happy Heavenly Birthday, sir. The life you lived and the sacrifice you made will never be forgotten, no matter how many years have gone by.
“ Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends”
RIP
February 15, 2025
Forever in our hearts, Kenny.
Mary Mitchell
September 14, 2023 | Burnsville, MN | Friend
I just attended a 911 ceremony in Lewes Delaware. The ceremony was for a local family who´s firefighter son perished on that horrible day. The family had a large box with strips of paper that had all the names of the victims that lost their lives. We were asked to take a name and remember that person by looking up the names online. After reading several articles I want to say that I admire Mr. Cubas for his heroism and would have been proud to know him. God bless this hero and his family. As...
Jeffrey Price
September 11, 2023 | Other
Twenty years after Ken's heroic demise, my beloved husband of twenty-five years is still fondly remembered by the hundreds of friends who continue to reach-out to me directly every year, especially this milestone year. Heartfelt condolences expressed through shared memories, and stories of Kenny's kindness and generosity bear testimony to a life well-lived through his epic smile, dancing eyes, and selfless final moments. Sometimes, like tonight, when I can't sleep, I'm consoled by...
Kerry Cubas
November 12, 2021 | Family
Remembering Ken on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...
Cindy Roe
September 05, 2021 | Galesburg, MI
Ken, I think of you often. Your love and compassion shone in your warm smile and generous nature. Rest in peace, my courageous friend.
September 12, 2019
I still envy your people skills Ken (and a few other things). You remain my favorite (and only) Best Man. I miss you. I am very grateful to have known you. Your courage and compassion and valor inspire us to be better.
Mike ODonnell
September 12, 2019 | Lower Earley, Reading , UK | Classmate
Remembering you Ken
Thinking of your today, leaving a stone is a Jewish tradition ...you lived well and are remembered.
Kitty Cooper
September 11, 2019 | Lakeside, CA | Friend
Ken and Kerry and friends,
I was thinking today that I find it sweeter to celebrate your birthday Ken (whenever that is dammit - January??), or the day we first met in the hall at Potsdam and I gave you the finger as I smiled at you - and we became friends.
we are all so much richer for having had you in our lives.
See you soon enough buddy.
much love,
Mike (in the UK)
Mike ODonnell
January 20, 2018 | Reading, MA