An Unabashed Kisser, a Human Bulldozer and a Steely-Nerved Mother

Born in Italy, Mr. [FRANCO LALAMA], of Nutley, N.J., came to New Jersey in 1963, when he was 7. Tradition held that as the oldest boy in an Italian-American family of seven children, Mr. Lalama was responsible for the others. When he became manager of structural integrity for the Port Authority, tak...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe New York times
Main Author These sketches were written by Celestine Bohlen, Anthony DePalma, Lynette Holloway, Randy Kennedy, Charlie LeDuff, Clifford J. Levy, Gretchen Morgenson, Andy Newman, Ben Sisario, Barbara Stewart and Yilu Zhao
Format Newspaper Article
LanguageEnglish
Published New York, N.Y New York Times Company 04.11.2001
EditionLate Edition (East Coast)
Subjects
Airlines and Airplanes
Biographical Information
Hijacking
Personal profiles
Terrorism
Victims of crime
World Trade Center (NYC)
New York City
New York City New York
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Summary:Born in Italy, Mr. [FRANCO LALAMA], of Nutley, N.J., came to New Jersey in 1963, when he was 7. Tradition held that as the oldest boy in an Italian-American family of seven children, Mr. Lalama was responsible for the others. When he became manager of structural integrity for the Port Authority, taking care of the agency's bridges and tunnels came naturally to him. A world traveler, Mr. [GAVIN McMAHON], of Bayonne, N.J., made friends wherever he went. Since he disappeared Sept. 11 from the 105th floor of 2 World Trade Center, where he was meeting with colleagues at Aon, his girlfriend, Bridget Fitzpatrick, said she had heard from friends in Singapore, Australia, Paris, London, and Gavin's hometown, Chester-le-Street, England. On Sept. 11, he dressed with particular care for a sales meeting. ''Blue shirt,'' Mrs. Vianna said. ''Blue eyes. I told him, 'You look so beautiful.' It was the last time I saw him.'' Mr. Vianna, 23, from Manhasset, N.Y., learned the importance of details and the pleasures of formality at nearby Chaminade High School. That stood him in good stead at Villanova University, where, his mother said, he found a ''real community of friends,'' and at Cantor Fitzgerald. But he was also perfectly happy rooting for the Giants and the Yankees and making quiet remarks that made his friends howl with laughter. ''He always had the perfect, perfect comeback,'' Mrs. Vianna said.
ISSN:0362-4331