Archive for September 10th, 2006

Rodney James Wotton, a tribute to life

Sep 10th 2006MichaelLife

Rodney James Wotton

Rod Wotton was doing his job, supporting his family, on the morning of September 11, 2001. He was at work in the South Tower of the World Trade Center

The items that are hard to grasp while researching information for this tribute is the amount of life that was lost that day. I do not mean the numbers of people that were lost; that is tragic and hard to believe. I mean the amount of life each and every one of the victims of this attach lost. The amount of life going on in each of these peoples world.

Rodney was living, Raising a young family, loving his wife and the 2 year old daughter. And loving his yet unborn son. Rodney Patrick Wotton was born eight days after that terrible day when his father was lost.

Some of the quotes from his wife in the following article show how much of a good man Rod was working on the terrible day, he called his wife and asked her to Pray for him.

Here is a quilt at United in Memory for Rodney, and another with some pictures of his life.

Shortly after the lose, this news report was published that shows how much life Rodney had before it was taken unfairly, before it’s time.

From NJ.com, Sep 21, 2001

‘Rodney Wotton, 36, devoted to daughter’

Patricia Wotton wants to give a eulogy for her husband, Rodney, in St. Catherine’s Church in Holmdel Saturday.

After the memorial service ends, she will baptize their son, Rodney Patrick, born eight days after his 36-year-old father perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 struck the World Trade Center’s South Tower.

“It’s been a bittersweet experience. I am fortunate to have him,” Mrs. Wotton said of the newborn. “But I am just overwhelmed with grief.”

The Wottons’ daughter, Dorothea Jean, turned 2 a little more than three weeks after her father was lost. She is aware that something is not right because her father is no longer putting her to bed every night as he always did.

“My daughter will probably not remember her father. My son will never have known him,” Mrs. Wotton said. That’s why she has asked those who loved or worked with Rod to send a note about him to his children.

“That would help them to know him better,” Mrs. Wotton said. “I’ve been getting wonderful letters. I’m hearing from his third-grade teacher and his Little League coach,” she said.

On the morning of Sept. 11, Mr. Wotton kissed his wife of six years and went off to work at 6:30 a.m. Shortly after 9 a.m., he called his wife from his office on the 97th floor. “Initially, he called to say the other building was on fire, and he didn’t know what was happening,” she said.

“A few minutes later he called and said for some reason his floor was filling up with smoke and he didn’t know why. I had at that point turned on the TV and seen that his building had also been hit,” Mrs. Wotton said.

“He called to say good-bye and told me that he loved me and asked me to pray for him — and that was the last I spoke to him,” she said.

Mr. Wotton, a Middletown resident and senior vice president of Web site design for Fiduciary Trust Co. International, probably stayed behind to work on restoring data that was being lost in the fire.

“I think he wanted to get out but was working on restoring the data,” she said.

He started at Fiduciary in 1998. He worked in data center management, where his forte was disaster recovery. He would help clients save data during emergencies like power outages or terrorist attacks.

Mrs. Wotton said her husband loved life, was devoted to his daughter and did his own yard work in a neighborhood where most people used hired help.

“I think the church is going to be packed,” Mrs. Wotton said of the combined ceremony. “I think he would be amazed by that because we spent so much time with just the three of us together.”

In addition to his wife and two children, Mr. Wotton is survived by his parents, Stewart and Jean Wotton of Lincroft; brother and sister- in-law Brian and Toni Wotton of Ocean; brother and sister-in-law Dave and Marty Wotton of Texas; grandmother Helga Hall of Massachusetts, and many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Mrs. Wotton requests that donations be made to the Wooton Children Fund, P.O. Box 90, Middletown, NJ 07748.

The memorial service and baptism will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Catherine’s Church, 108 Middletown Road in Holmdel.

How hard that day was and every day after it must be. My heart goes out to the Wotton Family.

Fiducary Trust Company Internatial has a Remembrance, Reelection and Hope page for Rodney that shows the history that Rodney created in his short life.

Rodney James Wotton, born January 14, 1965, in Jersey City, NJ, died September 11, 2001, in the World Trade Center Disaster in New York City.

Growing up in Lincroft, NJ, Rod played Little League baseball and was active in the Boy Scouts. A merit badge in Computing helped influence him toward a career in computer science.

Rod graduated from Middletown High School South and continued his education at Brookdale Community College, earning an associates degree in computer science. His career started at Publishers Phototype International in Carlstadt, NJ. This helped him secure a position with Chemical Bank in Somerset, NJ. Advancing up the ranks to systems programmer, Rod transferred to New York City, and this led to his most recent employment with Fiduciary Trust International on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center, Tower II. He spent most of his time with Fiduciary in data center management, where his forte was disaster recovery and data integrity. He advanced to the Vice President level and eventually became the senior vice president of web design. Rod was dedicated to his work and would spend many hours at home, nights and weekends, on the phone or at his computer, assisting his associates.

Rod met his wife, Patricia, in 1991, and they were married on May 13, 1995. Their daughter, Dorothea Jean was born October 4, 1999, and their newborn son, Rodney Patrick, was born September 19, 2001. Rod is remembered for his tender affection for his wife and daughter. He was a dedicated husband and father, and friend to many. He enjoyed outdoor activities, including golf, going to the beach, softball, roller-blading and running. When he reluctantly hung up his running shoes due to knee problems, his passion became weight-lifting, vegetable gardening and a 1988 Ford Mustang.

Rod was a fun-loving person with a quick smile and a positive attitude towards life. He was always helping people in need and spent summers as a teenager at the local park helping physically challenged children learn to swim. More recently, he and his wife participated in several social activities in Middletown, NJ, including the Newcomers Club, greeting new residents.

Rodney was an extraordinary person with many friends and relatives who loved him. We will always cherish the memories of Rod.

A big tease with a very playful personality. He aspired to his position through diligence and perseverance without complaint. Although Rod never had the chance to meet his son, it is our hope that Rod Jr. inherits his dad’s dedication and tenacity.

Rod proved that hard work and a sense of humor could move you up the ladder of success. His warmth and compassion towards his colleagues will be sorely missed.

-Mark Ebersole

Rods Brother shows the zest Rod brought to everything he did.

My Brother Rod January 14, 1965 – September 11, 2001

When Rod was three months old, he had a major operation. I was only six,
but I remember worrying about Rod. Then, when Rod was two, he stepped
on a nail. He had to go to the hospital. Again I worried about Rod. I don’t
remember having to worry about Rod after that, until this past September
11th. He was in control of his life. A determined young man with a strong
desire to accomplish his goals. He was always focused.

When he was eleven, Rod won a writing contest with a piece titled “How
we will live 100 years from now”. As a young teenager, he volunteered his
time to help with the physically and mentally challenged. Helping them
learn to swim. As an active Boy Scout, Rod worked toward many merit
badges, but one was the start of his love of computers. To earn the
Computing Merit Badge, he visited a local business and operated their
computer system.

Computers became his career, and he eventually achieved the level of
Senior Vice President of Web Design for Fidutiary Trust International. He
was very proud of his job and his office at the World Trade Center. I
visited him there on several occasions. The view was beautiful. He
brought other relatives and friends up there, always willing to give them
the tour. Last year Rod brought his family, up to his office to view the
parade of tall ships during Operation Sail 2000. What a spectacular site! I
took a lot of pictures, but the one Rod liked was a shot of the B2 Stealth
Bomber that did a fly-by. That was a great day.

Rod’s persistence and determination always seemed to get him where he
wanted to be. His work ethic was second to none. The company beeper
and cell phone he carried with him, kept him at work 24/7, but he also
used them to make himself available to his family. He was dedicated. Not
only to his job, but to his family and friends. He was a great father and
husband. Putting the family’s safety and well-being at the top of his
priorities.

Rod loved his wife and daughter and was looking forward to the birth of
their second child. I remember when Pat and Rod got married, I was
honored to be best man, and thrilled that I would have Pat as a sister,
and still am.

Rod loved adventure. He never missed a roller-coaster at the boardwalk
and went on many trips. Skiing, canoeing, touring the countryside or just
visiting friends and relatives. Once he flew to Colorado, rented a car and
drove to sites in Arizona, New Mexico and Utah. No itinerary, just “let’s
go”. I was fortunate to accompany him on a few trips. The canoe trips
were the best. My kids will cherish those memories forever. We had a few
family reunions in Massachusetts that were a lot of fun too. Rod loved to
visit his cousins, Aunts and Uncles.

A recent trip was to Worchester, MA. My parents drove Rod and I up to
move some furniture. It had snowed about a foot the day before, but that
didn’t stop us. We were able to rent a truck, load it up, drive home, and
unload it, all in the same day. But the best part was the drive home. We
weren’t sure if the truck would make it. We had plenty of laughs over the
noises it made. Rod was my captive audience and we talked the whole
way home. He was great company.

When Rod was young he would look up to Dave and I, both of us older.
But as the years flew by, I found myself more often seeking his guidance
and opinion. Mom and Dad brought us up to respect others and live by the
Golden Rule. Rod did a good job of that. He inspired me most with his love
and devotion to his family and friends.

A hero is defined as one with courage and nobility. Others say a hero is
someone who puts others first. Rod is all of that to me, he is my hero. I
love you Rod.

Brian Wotton (from October 2001)

From his family I found this poem that breaks my heart each time I read it.

Kristina M. Wotton 09/11/2003 10:27:52 PM

09/11/2003 10:27:52 PM

Another year has come and gone,
In my heart you’ll carry on,
I promise I will not forget,
That fateful morning I had wept,
People screaming, buildings falling,
Praying that you’ll soon be calling,
Wanting you to come home now,
As I watch the planes go down,
Policemen come to save the day,
With their lives some had to pay,
Fire fighters also arrive,
Fighting just to save a life,
A year has come, a year has gone,
In my heart you’ll carry on,
I promise I will not forget,
That fatefull morning I had wept.
Kristina M. Wotton (2003)

A Quote from his Father in 2004

“We miss you very much, we love you very much, and we’ll never forget you because you’re in our hearts forever,” said Stewart D. Wotton, looking skyward and remembering his son, Rodney James Wotton.

“Sept 11, 2004

From his Obituaries We find that Rod loved life and the challenges of it.

He enjoyed golf, going to the beach, softball, and Rollerblading. After reluctantly hanging up his running shoes because of knee problems, his passions became weight-lifting, vegetable gardening, and a 1988 Ford Mustang.

This is the life that we have to remember and continue to live with. This is the life his young children should remember when they are sad about their loss, they should think about what their Father brought into this world. Live life to the fullest, make time to live and enjoy the people around you. Bless you and your family.

NOTE: The 2,996 web site is being swamped and has run into bandwidth issues. Until they can solve this, I’m posting direct links to the tributes by other bloggers below.

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