Stephen Tompsett Obituary - Death Notice and Service Information

LOCATION

Garden City, New York

Family, Faith and Job
In summer, Stephen Tompsett liked to build sand castles on the beach with his 10-year-old daughter. But because he was a math whiz, his sand constructions were a bit different.

"They were elaborate sand castles with moats," said Geralyn Szuba, his sister-in-law. "And I swear, they were timed with the tides. As soon as he finished, the tides would come in and fill the moats."

Mr. Tompsett, 39, a computer scientist and vice president at the Instinet Corporation who was attending a meeting at Windows on the World on Sept. 11, was a rare combination of brilliant, easygoing and religious, she said. Raised in Australia, he came to New York 13 years ago on business, promptly fell in love -- with the city and his future wife -- and settled in.

Instinet employees celebrated when he became their boss. When he attended meetings, they could dispense with note-taking. "Stephen," Ms. Szuba said, "would remember everything verbatim." And he gave everybody the same advice: " 'Your family comes first. Then your faith. Then your job.' How often do you hear that --especially on Wall Street?"

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Stephen was my best friend throughout our Uni days and beyond; we practically lived in each other pockets - especially from our honours years onwards. Stephen had one of the most brilliant minds I had ever encountered - diamond sharp and insightful but he was the most respectful quiet guy you would every meet. I never saw Stephen boast or even get angry, but he had a strong, resilient almost humble passion that could move mountains. Stephen was the most loyal of friends and willingly to...

Matthew Kendall

September 11, 2020 | Sydney | Friend

Looking a Matt Kendall's photo its hard to believe we were ever that young.
It is ~35 years ago that we were all hanging out at the Madsen Building at Sydney Uni doing Comp Sci.

Stephen O'Gallagher

September 11, 2020 | New York, NY | Classmate

So much time has passed and I can still remember sitting in Steve's office discussing some issues he was having with his Laptop and thinking to myself...What a great guy!. I soon was informed that he was slated to become the Head of IT for Instinet and I was so happy for him. Unfortunately, that never came to be as 9/11 took him from us. I can recall that because of my close relationship and that I lived on LI I was asked and honored to go to his home in Garden City to meet with Dorry and...

Scott Weber

March 08, 2019 | Commack, NY

Thinking of and praying for you as we pass another anniversary...

John Donachie

September 11, 2018 | Garden City, NY

Grieve for this loss even though did not know him. Upstate NY distant relative, Dr James Wm Tompsett. All Tompsetts thought to be descendants of Capt. Guillaume Tom'a'sett in the Battle of Hastings in 1066 AD

Jim Tompsett

October 02, 2016 | Livonia, NY

I went to school with Stephen.From Junior High to Senior High. He was a very intelligent guy and Such a sad story . His family need prayers during this sad memory

Tony PORTELLI

September 12, 2016 | Sydney

Mary-Ann Brooks

September 06, 2016 | Sydney

Stephen was one of my tutors at University. He was without doubt one of the nicest, and cleverest people I have ever had the chance learn from. Thanks.

David Bullock

February 24, 2014 | Oatley West

Stephen was a colleague and friend of mine at Instinet, just yesterday, I finally got to visit the memorial and found the panel with his name. He was very well liked and respected and this tragedy was truly a loss for us all.

Stu McGrath

January 13, 2014 | Massapequa, NY

Stephen K. Tompsett

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