Dayngrous Discourse

I Remember Vincent Litto

Name: Vincent Litto
Age: 52
Residence: Eltingville, Staten Island - New York, United States
Occupation: Vice President, Cantor Fitzgerald (Over-the-Counter Trading Department)

September 11th, 2006 I dedicated a post to Vincent Litto. Vincent is someone that I think about often even though I never knew him personally. Learning about him through the 2,996 Project in 2006 touched me. I hope you will take some time to read and learn about this wonderful man whom I never had the chance to meet but will forever remember.

The campaign at 2,996 encourages people to create a tribute of their own in honor of those who lost their lives on 9/11. We prefer to focus on remembering the victims on September 11th rather than those who contributed to their deaths.

The Eltingville resident, who worked on the 104th floor of Tower 1, has been missing since the terrorist attacks on the Twin Towers. Up until that day, he was living and enjoying his life "peacefully with his children and grandchildren," said his wife.

Vincent was a Senior Vice President in the Over-the-Counter Trading Department at Cantor Fitzgerald, where he had worked for the last eight years. He loved the financial world, but the most important things in his life were family and friends, said his wife.

"We had wonderful times," said Mrs. Litto. "He was the most generous, caring, giving and loving person in the world."

Vincent moved on to Drexel Burnham, where he worked as a trader. When the company closed, he worked for a short time for Kidder Peabody before moving to Cantor Fitzgerald in 1993, shortly after the first World Trade Center bombing. After attending Kingsborough Community College and Hunter College, Vincent became a New York City Police Officer. He was on the force for three years before he decided Wall Street was where he really wanted to be. He had great respect for the Police Department, but never questioned his decision to leave, said his family.

"I just want everyone to know that these people did not die in vain because this country will survive this, and our grandchildren will grow up in a peaceful and tranquil world."

A Poem For Vincent Litto

I sit here and I wonder, I just wonder why,
Why God took you from me, why you had to die.
I think or you all day and I think of you at night,
It just drives me crazy and it really isn't right.
How can this be happening? How can this be real?
I'm so sick of hearing that time can only heal.
You're there no matter where I go, no matter where I am.
I really just can't take this, I just don't think I can
How could you be gone? How did your life just end?
I just can't do it Daddy, I need to see again.
How can I wait forever to see your smiling face?
I don't want to hear that you're in better place.
The better place is here with me and those who love you so.
I am just so angry and it hurts more than you could know.
I wake up in the morning and it still feels like a dream.
Then I stop and look around and it makes me want to scream.
You can't truly be gone Daddy, it really just can't be,
There's so much more for us to do, so much for use to see.
Birthday parties, weddings, Sunday dinners and more,
With you not here it feels meaningless and I ask myself "what for?"
Who cares about the parties and the presents and the cake?
You're gone and there's only one wish I need to make.
I wish that you were Daddy, I wish you didn't leave.
It doesn't make any sense and it's so hard to believe.
I need to hear you voice Daddy, I need to see your smile.
I need to feel a big bear hug, God, it's only been a little while.
How can I last a lifetime without seeing you again?
Is all of my pain and sorrow ever going to end?
It won't end until I'm with you Daddy, in that better place.
It won't end until once again I can touch your handsome face.
I count days, I count hours and minutes until we're together,
And when that moment finally comes, Daddy, I'll hold onto you forever.

Love Always,

When Vincent Litto's sister was stricken with multiple sclerosis in 1979, she was no longer able to care for her daughter.

So Vincent and his wife, Linda, took the daughter in and raised her as their own. She was one of four girls Mr. Litto doted on.

"Although I was not born his daughter, he treated me as nothing less," said Michele Reitano, 33, as a thousand friends and relatives at a recent memorial service mourned Mr. Litto, 52, a Vice President at Cantor Fitzgerald. "I was privileged to be part of his family, his home and to have him as my father.

"Michelle's sisters, and that is what they consider themselves, told their stories, too.

Kimberly Litto, 20, spoke of the crowd around their Staten Island dinner table. "I'd ask who was coming for Sunday dinner," she said, "and he'd answer 'You know, just us.' "

"Just us," to Mr. Litto, meant "Grandma, Grandpa, Poppy, Katie, Peter, Vincent, Michele, Joey, Lauren, Julia, Robbie, Stacey, the Tolkins, the Sorrentinos, the Roccobonos, the Laskys, the Palmisanos and Steve."

Catherine Litto Petras recalled the many ways her father taught his girls to "do the right thing," some as simple as "making sure to say hello and goodbye to everyone who came in out house, whether it be the sprinkler guy or our grandfather."

And Kristen Litto, 22, asked mourners to close their eyes and conjure a special moment with her father. "The way you felt at that moment," she said, "is the way our father made us feel every single moment of every single day of our lives."

God bless you, Vincent. I remember you from high school; I last saw you 35 years ago in 1966 when we graduated. We were on the intramural bowling team together, and had many classes together in senior year. You were a nice guy, great laugh, sense of humor, a good person. I am so sorry for your family to lose such a great guy. - Bob DiGiulio

We miss you so much you will always be loved and in our hearts. - The Larescas, 11/13/2004

I miss you more every day. You are the best. I love you Uncle Vin. - Mike Lasky

You showed so much to so many. You showed your family the meaning of love. To those who you came into contact with, you showed them a sign of warmth and compassion. You were the definition of an angel here on Earth. You were so kind, so warm and so gentle to so many, your warmth and love for your family and for life will never be forgotten. With love and memories forever. We miss you. "We only part to meet again." - (Cousin) Shannon D.

Vinny, It is hard to believe that you and Louis are gone. Like with Louis, the last time I saw you was at cousin Tommy's wedding. You and Linda walked in arm in arm, smiling from ear to ear, not for the people there but for each other! You and Linda were so in love, so happy, just so right for each other. I hear so many stories about all the wonderful things you did for other people and I wonder why people like you and Louis were taken from your loved ones. I have to believe that God has a greater plan for us all. Vinny, please pray for Linda, she is so devastated! Rest in peace. - (Cousin) Patty

Vinny, After you were first gone, I found it very hard to go to your house knowing that I wouldn't have your smile and hug to greet me. Linda, Katie, Kristen, Kimberly and the rest of your wonderful family, continue to make me feel apart of the family. Katie continues to be my best friend and "twin" sister and her memories of you or feeling that you are still there with us in spirit is what keeps your warmth, kindness and love in my heart. -Love Maria Christiano (Staten Island, NY )

I miss you more than words can ever say and I love you more and more each day. Not a day goes by without me thinking of you. Vincent is so big, you would be so proud he's talking and he knows your face. Every picture he sees of you he points and smiles and says "Poppy" Watch over him please, watch over all of us we need you!! Bye Daddy - Katie, 2004

Four years later, Daddy, and we still miss you every day. We love you forever. - Kimberly, 12/20/2005

5 years later and it still feels like yesterday, not a day goes by that I do not think of you and miss you. I love you. - Katie, 09/10/2006

Read more

The wonderful quit patches you see in this post are part of United In Memory the 9/11 Victims Memorial Quit Project which travels across the country. This 9/11 you can view this beautiful tribute in Staten Island from 11 AM to 6 PM. Check their website for additional dates and locations near you or to contribute.

Vincent is honored on the Internet through several wonderful tributes, this one adds one flower each time someone visits his page. I hope you will visit and add a flower to his memory.

Read more tributes to the 2,996 who lost their lives on 9/11.

Tags: 2996, 9/11, September 11th Tribute, Causes, Thoughts, Life, Vincent Litto, Dayngr, Dayngrous Discourse Linda Sorrentino, Michele Reitano, Katie Petras, Kristen Litto, Kimberly Litto, Michael and Marie Litto, Patriot Day, In Honor of Vincent Litto

Dished out by Dayngr at 7:30 PM