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A Broker in a Wet Suit

Having spent his teenage years near the ocean in Bricktown, N.J., Brett T. Bailey seemed to pass whole seasons wearing a wet suit — whether it was winter, spring, summer or fall. "It was hard to get him out of the water," said his father, Kevin Bailey. "He loved surfing. He loved swimming. He loved anything athletic. He was very playful."

Mr. Bailey, 28, worked as a lifeguard when he was a teenager but there was little question that after college he would become a broker, like his father and three uncles before him. "The financial world is kind of in his blood," Kevin Bailey said. He worked on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange before taking a job as an options broker three years ago with Euro Brokers in 2 World Trade Center.

Mr. Bailey was a determined athlete. He started the summer with a 26 handicap in golf. By September, his handicap was down to 19. "That tells you what he was like when he set his mind to something," said his father. "But one of the most interesting things about Brett was his ability to make friends very quickly, almost upon meeting them. He had such a diverse group of friends. From the New England fisherman to the Wall Street broker, they were all equal to him."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on November 20, 2001.

Brett T. Bailey, 28, a friend's friend

Friendship and family defined the life of Brett T. Bailey of Brick, his parents said.

"If you could only choose one friend in life you would want it to be Brett. Friendship and family meant everything to him. He was the most loyal friend. He would walk on burning coals for his friends," said his father, Kevin Bailey.

Missing and presumed dead after the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center, Mr. Bailey was an options broker for Euro Brokers. Before that, the 28-year-old worked for CMJ on the New York Stock Exchange.

After six years of dating, Mr. Bailey was engaged to marry his fiancé Dina Carlucci on June 8, 2002.

"Ironically, I called him my survivor," said his mother, Judy Bailey. "He'd always landed on his feet. No matter what predicament he got into he would come out and everybody would still love him."

Lighthearted and easygoing, Mr. Bailey was always looking out for others, his mother said. One day last winter the family went to the movies, and Mr. Bailey noticed an elderly woman having difficulty in the snow and he leaped over a snow bank to help her.

"That's the type of kid he was. He was always taking care of everybody," his mother said. "He was a great big brother."

Co-workers told the family Mr. Bailey made his way down to the 71st floor and was helping others when the second tower collapsed.

Born in Cape Cod, Mass., Mr. Bailey spent his early years in Long Island and Maine. When he was in eighth grade, he moved to West Orange. He attended Seton Hall Preparatory School where he played football and ice hockey. He loved animals and had a passion for the ocean. He surfed and spent many summers working as a lifeguard during at the Jersey Shore.

"He liked to taste the whole menu. He was not a one-trick pony," said his father, who played golf with him every weekend during the summer.

Mr. Bailey also is is survived by a sister, Yarah Bailey of Florida, and a brother, Yuriah of Rhode Island; paternal grandparents, George and Maureen Bailey, and maternal grandparents Leonard and Elizabeth Dziadkowicz.

A service of remembrance and hope will be held to celebrate Mr. Bailey's life at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 12, at Saint Leo's, 50 Hurley Lane, Lincroft.

Those wishing to may make a contribution in his memory to the Brett T. Bailey Foundation, established to provide financial support to charitable organizations that aid civilian victims of tragic events. Donations may be sent to 1443 Forest Ave., Brick, N.J. 08724.

Profile by Kathy Barrett Carter published in THE STAR-LEDGER.