The Backup Man
Paul Albert Skrzypek
Paul Albert Skrzypek was constantly in motion. He ran with the bulls in Pamplona, he completed the Chicago Triathlon and the New York Marathon, and he Rollerbladed, biked and skied his way through the changing seasons. The only things he would sit still for, friends joked, were New York sporting events.
After Sept. 11, some wondered if he had, on some level, known that his time was limited. Over the summer he had rented not one but two beach houses. He had backup plans to back up his backup plans. "It was almost like he had an innate crystal ball," his friend James Schuette wrote in a letter to Mr. Skrzypek's parents, Edith and Albert. "He lived two lifetimes in 37 years."
Back in his hometown of Montville, N.J., Mr. Skrzypek's parents and younger sister have heard countless friends recall his generosity, fearlessness and athleticism. It is nothing they didn't know. Until recently, his parents were still watching him play in a local lacrosse league. "I remember we were walking to a game," his mother said. "Bert said, 'Are we going to be going to his games until we're 80?' "
In July, when Mr. Skrzypek became a broker with eSpeed , he told his father that he had finally gotten his career on track. The only area in which he lagged behind his friends was marriage. "Paul sought the relationship he saw in his parents," Mr. Schuette wrote, "and those are very hard to come by."
This is the first time I have
This is the first time I have seen this website - 9 years after 9/11/01. I met Paul in 1989 in Pt Pleasant in our beach house. I first saw him as a very handsome athletic guy who was so much fun to be around. As I got to know him that summer and years after I learned how wonderful a person he really was. Paul was such a good friend to me - like a brother. He would have done anything for me. Paul was fun always happy and a tremendous friend to all. When I look at pictures from those times I smile at what great times we had and how Paul was such an important part of it all. I miss you and think of you often.
Published by Mimi Doran Cahill
I was SO sad to learn about
I was SO sad to learn about what happened to Paul. I found out last night 9 and a half years after 9-11. Paul and I went to high school together but didn't know each other as I was a grade ahead of him. We met through mutual friends the Stern's in the spring of 1989. Although our relationship was brief we had such a great time. I ll never forget his smile and the way he used to make me laugh. He was so full of life. We had such great times in Hoboken Pt. Pleasant and NYC. Rest in peace
Published by Lauren Truby Vollmin
I learned of Pauls death soon
I learned of Pauls death soon after the attack. But just seeing this site now-10 years later. I knew Paul for years the early Hoboken Days (late 80s early 90s). We always found ourselves at the same parties in town down at the Jersey Shore and then years later in Manhattan and out East in the Hamptons. We always had time for each other always stopped to talk catch up and share plans for the following weekend s best parties etc. I enjoyed knowing Paul he was a good guy-and he made my years in Hoboken all the more enjoyable. Sometimes friends of friends would ask if we were related because we had a similar look-that always made us smile and we were quick to say "no!". Late August of 2001 in the Hamptons as a party was just starting up we bumped into each other-it was great to catch up. God Bless Paul and his family and close friends.
Published by Pete Churchill
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