Memories of Glen Wall
The Bright Side of the Road
He'd leave the dock on "Days Like This"
With his three girls by his side
From Bay Park to Alaska's lakes
The fish would race to hide
Following his father's footsteps
His Irish pride shined through.
From the claddagh ring upon his finger
To his love of laughter too
From his days of "Bones" and basketball
In the halls of Lynbrook High
To semesters at Johns Hopkins
The years, they just flew by
A party animal to the core
He always kept the beat
From Van Morrison to Baja Men
With his million dollar feet
Cruising in his Porsche by day
Hitting the Polo Grounds by night
But somehow he always made it home
To kiss his girls goodnight
When company was on its way
He'd be cooking up a storm
And his backrubs by the fire
Always left you feeling warm
His piggyback rides and dances
Had everyone waiting for a turn
Music from our hands
Was just one thing he helped us learn
But the most important thing he taught us
Was to live life on the "bright side of the road"
And enjoy it while you can.
You'll always be in our hearts and minds
Our uncle, our friend, Glen.
From your loving nieces,
Tracy, Gina, Kristina and Julie
Mom: His charm, smile 'embraced you'
Glen James Wall, age 38
Partner and Senior Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald, 105th Floor North Tower
Glen was my baby, the youngest of six and very, very special. He was full of life, funny, loving, dedicated, loyal and always a pleasure to be around. He was so loved by all his family, friends and everyone who knew him. His charm and big smile simply embraced you.
Glen was a devoted husband to his wife and soulmate, Diane, and an amazing and outstanding daddy to his two daughters Payton, 4, and Avery, 3. The above picture was taken in August, a month before 9/11 when life was full and wonderful and everyone so happy. The girls were the love of his life. He would rush home every day to be with them, feeding them, playing with them, bathing them and reading stories at bedtime as well as giving back rubs which he and they enjoyed. He wanted to give them the world.
Sept. 11 shattered all his dreams and our lives forever and life as we knew it would never be the same making each day a challenge and extremely difficult. There are just no answers to ease the pain of this horrible nightmare. How do you explain to Glen’s two loving daughters that their amazing daddy is not coming home to share each day with them. Especially heartbreaking is knowing that Glen is missing so much and was taken from us too soon. I remind Payton and Avery their daddy is always with us and he is smiling down on them and know he is beaming with pride for all his girls. Glen’s true wealth was his family and I have tremendous praise and admiration for Diane for the phenomenal way she raised Payton and Avery, always keeping Glen so very much alive and part of their everyday lives. Glen said she was strong and could do anything and she certainly has proven him right.
A testament to this is how Payton, now 14, on her own, wrote to President Obama. He was so touched by her letter that he asked her to meet him at Ground Zero for a wreath laying ceremony. She said by being there she was honoring her commitment to her father’s memory. She said: “My father is the reason that we came together today, I miss and love him and don’t go a day without thinking about him. This day will help me move on.”
Diane, Avery and her friend, Madison, who also lost her father on Sept. 11 shared the honors. We were all amazed but not surprised that Payton did this. I could hear Glen chuckling and saying “Way to go- That’s my Girl-Love you and miss you too.” We see Glen in Payton and Avery all the time, whether in a certain smile, expression, humor or competitiveness but especially in their love and closeness to family and friends.
Glen believed in living every day to the fullest, either it be his disciplined work ethics, excelling in sports, being there for a friend in need, raising money for the Make-A Wish Foundation or Boomer Esiason’s Golf Tournament for Cystic Fibrosis. Glen’s true passion was simply sharing fun and happy times with everyone and wanting nothing for himself nor any acknowledgement for his enormous success and accomplishments.
Glen, we lost you suddenly on Sept. 11 and all our hearts were broken once again but we know you are with daddy. Your being together is my only consolation but the pain never goes away. We are certain you and daddy are sitting on the Bright Side of the Road listening to Van Morrison along with your closest friends, Matty O’Mahoney, who is also Avery’s Godfather, Jim Kelly, Farrell and Sean Lynch, Jason Celalu, Eamon McEneaney and too many more to mention. I could see all of you enjoying basketball, telling jokes, playing pranks on one another and laughing but still watching over all your loved ones. You are all our special guardian angels and missed every single day.
Forever in our hearts and thoughts.
All my love always,
Mom and your devoted family
I knew Glen Wall. We went to Lynbrook High School together. I was on the varsity girls basketball team. Reading your article about Glen, it is true he always was upbeat and had a smile on his face. Just a super nice guy.
Jackie Delmond Baes, Miami Shores, Fla.
