Hometown: Riverdale, NY
Euro Brokers Inc, 2WTC, 84th Floor
Age: 37
Michael was raised in Whitestone, Queens with three sisters and one brother. Mike attended high school in Florida, where he played on the basketball team. He moved back to New York and briefly attended Manhattan College before starting work on Wall Street.
Michael had just turned 37 on September 8. He enjoyed playing basketball and just recently learned how to sail. He was on top of the world, happy with his life and his successful career. He was realizing the American dream. Michael was a broker for the Repo desk at Euro Brokers since July 1999. He loved his job and adored looking out on the Statue of Liberty while he worked.
He married his wife on October 27, 2000. She claims that from the moment she met Michael she was drawn to his “soul”. All people were drawn to him—he had that special something that made you want to be near him. He was always smiling. Monica feels very blessed to have had him in her life for the past two years and she reminded him daily that he was the best husband ever. She tenderly points out, “We never spent a night apart; we were together all the time. We made a great team, ‘M&M’. He made me his life and I will always treasure that.”
Michael was compassionate and always willing to help others. He lived his life to the fullest; he did not have a fear of dying. His wife especially misses his wonderful voice, his big blue eyes, his laugh and his smile. She says that, “I loved everything about him. I was proud to be his wife and I know he was as happy and in love as I was.” Of course, she was looking forward to growing old with him and to starting a family in the near future.
Monica believes Michael will be waiting to greet her in the next life—where they can spend eternity together. Until then, she will rejoice in his memory. She believes that she is blessed to have a wonderful guardian angel at her side. She is certain that he is at peace and surrounded by family and friends as he was here on earth.
Whenever she closes her eyes she can still see him smiling at her telling her to have a good day, and that he loved her, on their last morning together. She affectionately affirms, “I will try Michael. Until we are together again, I will try.”
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A small portion of a beautiful guestbook entry left by his wife, Monica:
“..I know he will be waiting to greet me in the next life—where we can spend eternity together. Until then, I will rejoice in his memory. I am blessed to have a wonderful guardian angel at my side. I know that he is at peace and surrounded by family and friends as he was here on earth.
When I close my eyes I still see him smiling at me telling me to have a good day, I love you, on our last morning together. I will try Michael. Until we are together again, I will try.”
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“He died as he lived, caring for people - helping a distraught staff member deal with the horror of the first plane’s attack. He lives in our hearts and in our memories as the gentle young man who cared deeply for others.”
*** Posted by Gerard Iken on 2004-03-15 ***
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Some guestbook entries for Michael:
“..I knew Mike in high school and I was shocked to find out he was a victim. He was a very good person and my thoughts and prayers will be with you..” –Sharon
“..with the rest of america i wept on sept 11 at the tragic losses to us and for all the families who had lost a loved one. i was shocked to see mike’s picture on the televison and to realize that i knew him in high school. i am sure that it is him, his blue eyes are unmistakable. he was always kind and friendly in high school and it is comforting to know that he remained that way and that he found someone as yourself to love him. god bless you a keep you.” –Marilyn
“..Michael and I grew up together and went to grammer school together. His mother and mine were best friends.I saw you on the news and it broke my heart. Michael was the little brother i never had..” –Kathleen
“..I played basketball on Monday evenings with Michael for several years at Xavier High School. He was a great player, but an even better man.
I am so sorry for your loss.” –Bernard
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Michael’s wife founded the September’s Mission Foundation
From their mission statement:
“September’s Mission is to support the development of a memorial park on the former World Trade Center site that ties into the overall redevelopment of Lower Manhattan, and to ensure its future sustainability through public/private partnerships.”
You can make donations at the site.
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Reference links and links to more on Michael:
Euro Brokers Memorial Site: Michael Iken’s Entry
Spouse of unfound victim dedicates life to memorial
One Night to Touch the Stars