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Still an Inspiration

It's pretty normal to not listen to what your father has to say," said Erica Basnicki, speaking for herself and other 22-year-olds. "Now it's funny how many times I say, `Dad always said this.' I actually listen to him more now."

Her father, Kenneth Basnicki, financial marketing director for BEA Systems, was meeting co-workers at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11.

She remembers how he helped her when her college application was rejected, encouraging her to do some research and write letters. "Nothing else mattered at that moment other than me getting into university, and I did," she said.

Mr. Basnicki, who lived in Toronto, brought that same determination to recreation — mountain biking, golfing, skiing and snowboarding with his wife, Maureen, and son, Brennan, in addition to his daughter. At 48, he had a group of friends who enjoyed snowboarding together. "We called them the grays on trays," Erica Basnicki said.

Now she hopes to study journalism in New York City. "The best way to honor my dad for me is to not be scared, and to live and go to school in New York," she said. "I know my dad's fighting for me somehow. He'll work his magic, and I'll work my magic over here."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on June 16, 2002.