New York, New York
Hooked on Books
"I just want books, Ma," Nestor A. Cintron III would say.
Growing up in the Alfred E. Smith Houses in a tough part of the Lower East Side, Mr. Cintron was the resident intellectual. "My son didn't take any drugs; he had no bad habits; his thing was reading," his mother, Alicia Leguillow, recalled.
"For Christmas, I would get him $200 gift certificates to Borders and he would buy books."
Mr. Cintron, 26, a broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, read anything, but preferred books that were other-worldly: Carl Sagan, Michael Crichton and Robert Jordan were his favorite writers. He was a huge "Star Wars" buff.
He got his two younger brothers hooked, too, to the point where they would all sit at the dinner table reading. "They were never raised by a father, so they had each other," Mr. Cintron's mother said.
Ms. Leguillow knew her son was gifted from childhood, when a teacher at Public School 1 insisted on skipping him from the fourth to the sixth grade, because he was so far ahead in math. But he was still one of the guys.
"He had so much intelligence, he didn't need to show it," said his brother Fred Gonzalez Jr.
Remember the sweetest, kindness and nicest person in high school. He was so smart and cute, all the girls in our high school class had a crush on him. I am sad that he left this world too young. He may not have lived into old age, he certainly left his impact on so many people, even 20 years after his passing. May he Rest in Peace, and continue to watch over and protect his love ones from heaven.
Bernadette Carter
September 11, 2021 | Bethesda, MD | Classmate
a Toast to my brother, my Pal, we miss you and may you continue to be our Guardian Angel up above. until we meet again.
Manny Gonzalez
September 10, 2021 | Orlando, FL | Family
Remembering Nestor on the 20th anniversary of 9/11....
Cindy Roe
September 04, 2021
We will never forget. My heart and prayers go out for Nestor's family and friends. Much love from Texas
Del Newberry
December 02, 2020 | Heartland, TX
We send our continued deep sympathy to your family. May God always give the needed comfort and support. Nestor is still sadly missed and will always be remembered with fondness.
The Lucas Family
April 30, 2019
We remember and he will always be remembered!
November 03, 2018
To my dear uncle who died It breaks my heart that I can't see you. I miss and cry about you all the time. Even tho I never met you. Now I know where I get my love in books from. I'm only 12 and I'm here telling you I will never forget you. You mean everything. I hope I get to see you one day. I'm always here. I don't like to watch videos on how many possible ways you could've left this world because it makes me sad. I'm proud to be a Cintron. I love you so much Uncle. Te amo mucho siempre....
Jaelyn Cintron
September 11, 2018 | Tampa, FL
Fifteen years later, and I still remember Nester, whom I never met, but saw daily in 'missing' posters around the city. We shared the same birthday, and to this day, I honor and celebrate your [too short] life. Bless you, dear one, may your family know peace and find joy again. Knowing you loved books, as I write my own, I strive to write one you'd have loved to read.
September 11, 2016
To Nestor's family, the memory of your son, brother, friend is never far. He lives in our collective memory.
John Smith
June 27, 2015 | America, WA