Remembering Nicholas John

Nicholas John was born on July 2, 1959 in Dunvant, Swansea, Wales, a city rich in history and spectacular scenery. It was also the birthplace of the poet Dylan Thomas and home to Nick, his two bothers and his parents Glyn and Enfys. To meet Nick was to understand the magic of his homeland.

Nick was a passionate and warm-hearted man, with a great sense of humor and an easy smile. His sense of adventure led him to travel the world, making lasting friendships wherever he went. No matter where his travels took him, though, Nick never forgot his Welsh heritage. He often entertained friends and colleagues with stories of Wales and after a pint or two, he would tell them in Welsh. His favorite pub in New York was Fiddlesticks.

Nick loved sports, especially playing rugby and rooting for the Welsh Rugby Union team. He regularly played squash and was always looking forward to his next scuba diving adventure. Nick was a music buff. He played the guitar and amassed a very large and eclectic music collection.

Nick also had a successful business career that included executive positions with McGraw Hill, Manufacturers Hanover Trust and JPMorgan Chase. His work gave him the opportunity to explore the world while living in London, Hong Kong, Sydney and New York. It was while working in Australia that Nick met his life partner, Megan Dennison. Together they moved to New York, living in Greenwich Village, not far from his downtown Manhattan office at Chase.

On September 11th Nick was not in his office, but was attending the Risk Waters Financial Technology Congress at the World Trade Center, Tower 1. The meeting was being conducted at Windows on The World, with its spectacular view from the 108th floor. That’s where Nick was when American Airlines Flight 11 slammed into Tower 1, the north tower, at 8:46 a.m. Records show he called 911 from his cell phone, but he was unable to escape before the Tower collapsed at 10:28 that morning.

Nick may have left us on September 11th, but he will live forever in the hearts of his family and friends around the world. He is commemorated in the United in Memory Quilt and on the “Memorial Railing” that runs through the new British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square in Manhattan.

“Though lovers be lost love shall not; And death shall have no dominion.” - Dylan Thomas

British Minister, Andrew Davies, joined teachers and students from Ysgol Gyfun Ystalyfera to lay a wreath in memory of Nicholas John. A wreath of daffodils and Welsh flags was presented to a guardian of the new Memorial Garden for the British victims who died on September 11, close to the Ground Zero site at Hanover Square.

If you have memories of Nick you’d like to share, please post them in the comments section or add them to the Remember: September 11, 2001 website.

Thanks to D.C. Roe for coordinating the 2996 tributes to those lost on 9-11. Click on the graphic below to read other remembrances.