The family of Derek Sword, the Dundee victim of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center, have expressed hope that the death of Osama bin Laden does not lead to more terrorist attacks in the name of Islamic extremism.
“This news is important but it doesn’t bring Derek and the other victims back,” they said in a statement. “It has been a long time coming and we hope it doesn’t encourage supporters around the world to take up his mantle.”
Derek, an equity sales analyst for Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, was one of 67 employees of the securities firm who perished in the attack on the Lower Manhattan tower buildings on September 11, 2001.
Derek grew up in Barnhill, went to Monifieth High School and studied commerce at Abertay University, where he graduated with a BA honours degree. He went to work for an Edinburgh investment bank, moving to New York in 1995.
He quickly adapted to life in the Big Apple and felt he had found his dream job with Keefe, Bruyette & Woods. The post took him to Britain every six weeks, which allowed him to see his family, but he said he loved New York and did not want to live anywhere else.
A keen sportsman, Derek joined New York Athletic Club and was their champion squash player in 2001.
Derek, who represented Scotland at tennis as a teenager, met fiancee Maureen Sullivan at a club dinner and they planned to marry in 2002.
On the morning of the attacks Mr Sword, who worked on the 89th floor of 2 WTC, the South Towerm made three calls to his fiancee and one to his parents to assure them he was fine.
Friends and family on both sides of the Atlantic commemorated his life through the Derek Sword Challenge squash trophy donated by KBW.
Derek is survived by parents David and Irene, who live in the Dundee area, elder brother Graeme (42) and twin brother Allan.
Photo by Flickr userhsivonen.