New York, New York
Bellybutton Melodies
When Thierry Saada came to New York in 1999 from Paris, he sublet Delphine Zana's apartment through mutual friends in the Sephardic Jewish community. Both their families were originally from Tunisia, but moved to France after Tunisian independence. Mr. Saada was tall, handsome, and "sportif," she said, and they fell in love.
Last November, they married, and Mrs. Saada became pregnant. Mr. Saada was so excited he played Tunisian music and sacred Sephardic melodies for his unborn child, and he would "talk to my bellybutton," she said. Mrs. Saada was scared about the delivery, but "he said we would be together, that he would push with me."
On Sept. 11, Mr. Saada, 26, a trader at Cantor Fitzgerald, was on the 104th floor of 1 World Trade Center. The baby was due on Sept. 16, but Mrs. Saada did not go into labor. "I was hoping he would come back," she said. In the end, the labor was induced, and on Sept. 27, their son, Lior ‹ "my light" in Hebrew ‹ was born, with Mrs. Saada's mother, Dolly, and sister-in-law, Carole, at her side.
One of the sweetest people I ever met. I’m sad for all that he has missed. He lives on in his son and in our memories. He is remembered always.
Chaim
August 28, 2025 | New York, NY | Friend
We send our deep sympathy to your family for such a sad loss. Daily may God give the peace and comfort needed to continue to cope. Thierry is still sadly missed. May the time come when these acts of violence become ended for all time.
The Kindred Family
October 26, 2019
Im here at the #911tributemuseum..I broke down in tears, remembering you and the life you could have had...#RIP #neverforget #911 #neshama
Jacob A
July 07, 2019
Thinking of you today, 13 years after the disaster. I felt a connection when I saw your name and realized you were Sephardic. Small world that your mom was my cousin Pascale's mentor in Paris.
May HaShem protect Lior and your wife and family.
Joyce Chalfin
September 11, 2014 | Tenafly, NJ
Miss you, bro. Every 9/11 I think of you and of the promising life you would have had.
Jacob A
September 14, 2011 | Brooklyn, NY
Quel plaisir de t'avoir avec moi en "fichiste" sur le Matif pendant que tu poursuivais tes -brillantes- études ! qui te conduisirent à NY....affectueusement, Arnaud NIP 762 ;-)
September 12, 2011
Nous n'oublierons jamais
Rose
September 12, 2011 | Paris
Remembered By
Nathalie
September 14, 2010 | Paris (France)
Remembered By
sanchis michel
October 15, 2009 | Madison Heights, VA