In Memory of Christopher Newton-Carter

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I am very shocked to find out today, on the 10th Memorial of 9/11, that a name was just read on the TV by his sister, Christopher Newton-Carter. I knew Chris years ago. We met as colleagues on a job and became very close. I even traveled to England for the first time to meet his family.
Chris was a very funny guy and a lovely man. My heart goes out to his family and my thoughts are with them. I, too, lost a relative in the Towers and I want to say, rest in peace, Chris.

*** Posted by Erica Singer on 2011-09-11 ***

I also remember Chris from implementing the accounting system. He was wonderful and patient, with never a bad word about anyone.
Chris, we got the system back up and running... your work was not in vain.

*** Posted by Toni Savage on 2011-09-11 ***

I'd been working with Chris for six months straight, implementing and upgrading the accounting system at Sandler-O'Neill and Partners in 2001. We never actually met until the afternoon of September 10th. We'd been working and talking and joking entirely by email and phone all that time ... yet, ironically, our offices were just four blocks apart. He dropped by unexpectedly, and it was such a pleasure to shake Chris's hand. There was a humorous reunion feel about it, as well as a sense of completeness, finally being able to connect his facial expressions to the distinctive British accent. Everybody in our company had fun saying hello to him in person.

I was trapped alone in our building the following morning, having arrived late to work, and everybody else had already evacuated. With communications down and the air being slowly replaced by toxic fumes from outside, I kept my calm. I was still okay, I told myself, and believed that I was going to get through the disaster of that day. But then I thought about Chris in one moment, and realized he were very likely gone, which broke my emotional composure. I wept, and I feared that I had just lost a friend, which was confirmed in the days thereafter. Only 17 employees from Sandler O'Neill survived the destruction of Tower #2, and Chris wasn't one of them. He was among the 66 who had perished.

We spend a third or more of our daily lives at our jobs, and the people with whom we share those times, in various fashions, become a sort of second co-existent family. I met him only once in person, but I had the pleasure of Chris's presence in my life for the entire six months before. We were colleagues on a project together. He was funny, and he was smart. He was dedicated. He made a difference in the quality of my life, and I considered him a member of my second family. I still think about him, and I wanted to take this opportunity, today on 9/11 in 2010, to share with everybody another example of how Chris touched the lives of others in a meaningful and positive way.

Sincerely,
Neil

*** Posted by Neil Leupold on 2010-09-12 ***

I worked with Chris. He mentored me. He was truly a good man. He is missed so much. He is honored every 9/11 with candles burning in his memory. I miss you.

*** Posted by Victoria Steinhorst on 2010-09-11 ***

I met Chris while he was at Arthur Young in the 1980's. I remember always calling him "Newton as in fig" as that was my favorite cookie. He always played along with it. He was always such a nice guy, and I remember thinking how proud his parents must be of him. My heart just sank when I got an e-mail letting us know he was a victim. My thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family. RIP Chris.

*** Posted by Kathy Williams on 2010-09-11 ***

I send my regards to all of those family members, friends, and colleagues who lost a loved one on 9/11/01.... My heart bleeds for you. I had three of my family members rush to help with the utter chaos that was happening on that day (in both NYC and Washington), and thank the heavens they were returned to me, even though they were changed, like all of us were from that horrid day. I have learned to love without end (as holding a grudge only ruins the soul), to have faith that justice will "someday" prevail, and to hope of a brighter tomorrow for my children. May you and your loved ones be blessed in many ways from this tragedy that wove a nation together in a great time of need.

*** Posted by Tabitha Rivenburgh on 2010-09-08 ***

Here is a eulogy from Chris' memorial service in the fall of 2001:

Chris Newton-Carter was a man rich in the values and blessings that good people everywhere strive to achieve. The most important thing in his life was his wife, Sue, who he cherished deeply. Chris expressed to me on many occasions the great happiness he had with Sue as his wife and partner. He also loved the home they shared and enjoyed being there with her more than anything else in his life.

Chris possessed tremendous love for his family and friends. By his nature, he was gentle, caring, and sensitive and he regularly combined this with his calmness and sense of humor to help family and friends with their issues and troubles. I know Chris would be here now, if he could be, telling us that things would be alright and not to be upset.

Chris was content with his life, he asked for very little and gave so much. At the office, Chris would arrive at about 7:15 in the morning. All Chris wanted was his 10 minutes to eat his breakfast in peace and then he would run non-stop for the next 9 to 12 hours. As a technologist, he held two jobs in running the firm’s computer systems, when a problem occurred he would first be a psychologist and calm down his tense co-workers with his lovable style, then he would change hats and fix the problem. Everyone in the office knew what a great person he was and liked working with him. 

Chris had two other great loves, for the United States and for his mother England. He retained the proper behavior of an English gentleman. He loved to travel back to England to visit family and friends and to just do some sightseeing. But his home, his heart, and his soul-mate were here now and he enjoyed being an American. Chris we will miss you dearly....

I would like to read a poem written by Chris’ friends Ian and Corrine MacRae who could not be with us today since they live in Perth, Australia:

Chris's mix of Italian and public school
Made his demeanor a blend of emotion and cool.
He was contented, reserved and easy to please,
But at the smallest excuse would erupt in laughter with ease.
A gift for outrageous understatement,
But with intense interest in what others would say.

Modest, self-effacing, a reliable friend,
One you would trust to the very end.
So happy in America, where opportunity beckoned,
With Sue, a soul mate, that's what he reckoned.
But he never left his friends and his family, they're close,
We knew he'd be there for us when it mattered.

I've checked all the photos I have in my file,
Each one is of Chris bearing an enormous smile.
They remind of the quips and wise cracks without end,
But to all of us we've lost the dearest of friends.
From many miles away, our hearts are with you,
We are sad, distraught... your loss is ours too.

*** Posted by John Faeth on 2006-10-20 ***

I knew Chris nearly 30 years ago and he was such a genuine lovely man what a loss

*** Posted by susan Sweet on 2004-07-02 ***

Christopher was in my year at Stonyhurst and after leaving we kept in touch. I was a student living in north London and Christopher introduced me to the Hendon Rugby Club where we both played for one season. I remember meeting his brother Mark and sister Teresa. One one occasion I recall Christopher and I were returning from a game in his old Ford Popular when the car broke down and before long there was a minor pile up. Luckily no one was badly hurt. Christopher was always great fun with a marvellous sense of humour. My sincere condolences to his wife and family. I am sure you still miss him so much.

*** Posted by Christopher Fleming-Jones (Cambridge) on 2004-03-07 ***

This is something I came across while going through some stuff to do with my wonderful brother that I still miss so much.  When I read it I felt he was talking to me, and I cannot imagine a nicer thing to hear...

As much as I loved the life we had and all the time we played,
I was so very tired and knew my time on earth would fade.
I saw a wonderous image of a place that's trouble-free,
Where all of us can meet again to spend eternity.
I saw the most beautiful Rainbow, and on the other side
Were meadows rich and beautiful - lush and green and wide!
And running through the meadow as far as the eye can see,
Were animals of every sort as healthy as can be!
My own tired, failing body was fresh and healed and new
And I wanted to go run with them, but I had something left to do.
I needed to reach out to you, to tell you I'm alright
That this place is truly wonderful, then a bright Glow pierced the night.
Twas the Glow of many Candles shining bright and strong and bold
And I knew then that it held you love in it's brilliant shades of Gold.
For although we may not be together in the way we used to be,
We are still connected by a cord no eye can see.
So whenever you need to find me, we're never far apart
If you look beyond the Rainbow and listen with your heart.

God bless you Chris,  I miss you so and long to be with you again.
Mark

*** Posted by Mark Newton-Carter on 2003-12-22 ***

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