As New York City pauses today to remember those killed in the September 11 terrorist attacks, family members of Bermudian Boyd Gatton will hold a private ceremony in his memory.

Mr. Gatton, 38, along with fellow Bermudian Rhondelle Tankard, 31, were working in the twin towers of the World Trade Center when they were hit by two airliners three years ago. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks.

Mr. Gatton was employed with the Fiduciary Trust Company and was working on the 97th floor of the World Trade Center. Ms Tankard, seconded to New York by Bermuda-based insurance company Aon, had been working in the twin towers for just two days when disaster struck.

Mr. Gatton's sister, Pauline O'Connor and other family members will be on the Island this weekend to remember the brother lovingly referred to as "Professor".

Ms O'Connor told The Royal Gazette that Boyd's close-knit family have made plans to visit the British memorial garden in the heart of lower Manhattan this autumn or in early 2005.

The garden, constructed close to Ground Zero last summer, provides a place for the families of victims who were British citizens and subjects to remember their loved ones. The names of the victims of the attacks have also been inscribed on a memorial wall set up near the World Trade Center.

Ms O'Connor said the wound caused by Mr. Gatton's death will always be open to a certain degree, but family is no longer bitter or angry about the circumstances surrounding his death.

"You learn to walk with it a little easier, we try to pass on as much as we can about him to other family members," she said.

"He was a brilliant human being, we called him 'Professor' because he was a knowledgeable about everything, he had such an awesome sense of humour."

Family members have supported one another over the last three years said Ms O'Connor.

"You can't force yourself to move on.You have to take it in its proper order. We laugh a lot, we stay close as a family, we are a very spiritual family with a lot of faith and love for one another and that has what has really helped us to deal with the grief."

Mr. Gatton attended Saltus Grammar School. He enjoyed a number of careers on the Island including working for the civil service, the Bank of Bermuda and Bank of Butterfield, before moving to New York in 1992. Ms O'Connor described her brother as a workaholic but he loved talking to people and enjoyed a number of hobbies including carpentry, photography, reading and Tai Chi.

"He is in the forefront of our minds and hearts, he lived life to the fullest, his loss has left a big void around the world" said Ms O'Connor.

Members of the Tankard family declined to comment when contacted by The Royal Gazette this week.