Phil Lauterjung

A couple of weeks ago I came across a post in a LinkedIn discussion group suggesting that bloggers do something a little different today.  The idea was that we agree to post a tribute to one of the victims of the 9/11 attacks from eight years ago.  Each blogger would get a different person and if there were enough agreeable bloggers maybe there would be a post for all of the victims.

Doing this is a little more meaningful for me since this is also my wedding anniversary date; and, you can probably imagine how unusual that anniversary was eight years ago.  No dinner out, or much celebrating that day for my wife and I.

I was told that I might have some difficulty finding out much information about the person that I would be given to write about.  That was not the case with Craig William Staub.  I read through numerous letters and comments on a few different web sites and ended up wishing that I could have known him.  He had many, many friends and people who loved and admired him.  So, rather than me rambling on and on about someone I didn’t have the privilege of knowing, I would like to share with you what some of those who knew him best had to say.  You may want to grab a Kleenex, I did.

First one is from Peter Bilelis, Craig’s brother-in-law:

Craig William Staub was my brother-in-law, my friend, and my “little brother.” Craig was someone special, to be sure. He was incredibly intelligent, mature, and together. He was loving, friendly and unimposing. He made no pretenses.  Craig was always there to lend a helping hand, to offer advice and his experience, to go far out of his way to help others. What does this mean? Well, how many of us take the time to spend hours talking with someone just for their benefit, to openly listen, to be supportive, and to offer valuable help? Craig did.  Craig had such a positive effect on others that he would often meet people for a day or on a week long vacation and make easy friendships that would endure. His practical jokes were all in fun and tasteful, so you would have to laugh too, even if you were the victim. Besides, he was a good sport and would laugh when he was the victim of a practical joke.

Next, I’d like you to hear from his sister, Carolyn Staub Bilelis (Peter’s husband):

…allow me to address Craig in the many familiar ways I always have:  Craig, Craigy, Craigy-Boy, Reggy, Craigund, Stauber, Craig the Chicken Leg, Dude, and Yo, Little Brotha!  Craig worked really hard, but he played really hard too. Craig was so much fun because, not only did he have such a love for life and a strong sense of humor, but he had the nerve to do things that most people wouldn’t do, all in the name of fun.  I was especially happy to introduce Craig to my senior friends when he arrived as a freshman, so he knew he had seniors on his side if anyone gave him trouble. This happened in both high school and college, as I was flattered that Craig decided to go to the same college as I did – Boston University.  Craig, you are one of my favorite people in this world, and we have been so lucky to have you as long as we have, although it could never be long enough. I love and respect you profoundly, and I will keep you with me as an active part of my everyday life, as I know what you think, how you feel, and what you would do and want in certain situations, and I will consider that in everything I do.

A few words from Jason Swain, his college roommate:

I was his freshman roommate. It saddens me because more people didn’t get to know, laugh with, love and enjoy times with Craig.  Craig was really a remarkable person who had a magnificently unique view of life and the ability to convey the happiness in his life to others.  Craig, your physical presence will be sorely missed on this world, but the memories that you have provided us, as well as your spirit for life will forever be remembered.

I love you and promise to do all that I can to help Stacey and Juliette for as long as I live. I know you would do the same for me.

Lastly, ponder deeply what his wife, Stacey, posted and what she told to People Magazine:

January 08, 2002

To my loving husband Craig,
You will forever be my everything. You will be missed every moment of every day. I promise to raise our daughter to know you and to love you. She will know that her daddy was the greatest man that ever lived. When Juliette Craig was born on your birthday it was a sign that your life would continue on. I love you. My heart is yours. Please try to rest in peace.
Your loving wife,
Stacey

From People Magazine  Feb. 24, 2002

Stacey Staub
She missed her husband’s final phone calls

Stacey Staub last heard the voice of her husband, Craig, an executive at Keefe, Bruyette & Woods on the 89th floor of Tower 2, in two tense messages on her answering machine. “The first one was, ‘Stace, it’s me. Pick up!’ “she recalls. It was 8:49 a.m. and she was in the shower. “The next one, at 8:54, he said the same thing, and you could hear a sigh. He was frustrated that I wasn’t there.”

Eleven days later, on what would have been his 31st birthday, their first child, Juliette, was born. This time Staub made sure that she was connected with her husband. “I watched the birth through a mirror,” recalls Staub, 31, a former art director. “And I had pictures of Craig everywhere, so no matter where I looked, I saw his face.”

But she is facing harsh truths as well. “The phone calls get fewer and the help gets less,” she says with an air of resignation. “And the reality is that our husbands are never going to come home.” Still, she believes that in less tangible ways, her husband is near. “I’ll be holding Juliette,” Staub says, “and she’ll be looking off somewhere and smiling and cooing, and there’s nothing there but a white wall. It makes me feel Craig’s presence.” Her husband’s belongings fill the Basking Ridge, N.J., house that the couple built last fall, and Staub is planning to have a quilt made from his old clothes: “I want to wrap it around me, look at the pieces and remember a story for each one.”

Rest in peace Craig, and may God richly bless you Stacey and Juliette.

Photo:  Stacey and Juliette – People Magazine Feb. 24, 2002

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