HERO GENTUL REMEMBERED
Alayne Gentul was more than a manager. She was a Friend with a great sense of Humor, a terrific
personality and "a smile that will light up the Stars," former Colleagues said in Tribute to her.
Gentul, Senior Vice President of Human Resources for Fiduciary International, Died in the
Sept. 11 Terrorist Attacks in New York. But her memory lives on in so many ways, said her Husband, Jack Gentul of Mountain
Lakes, N.J.
"We're doing OK," Gentul said of himself and the Couple's two Sons, Alex 17, and Robbie,
13. "I think that you learn a lot from something like this-I guess you can't help it.
Seven years ago, amid the confusion and hysteria of the Attacks, Witnesses said Gentul, 44,
implored Colleagues to get out of the World Trade Center South Tower after the first hijacked Plane struck.
Gentul and a Colleague went from the 90th floor to the 97th floor to urge a group of Tech
Support Workers to leave. She and others were trapped after the second Plane hit.
Since Alayne's Death, Gentul said, he quickly learned how to Cook and manage a household
as a Single Parent. He said the Family grew even closer. His Sons have much in common with Alayne, Gentul said. One possesses
her strong Work Ethic, another her Sense of Humor.
"She is very much a part of us,' said Gentul, who is Dean of Students at the New Jersey Institute
of Technology in Newark.
Alayne was Born in Queens and received a B.A. in Psychology from Rutgers University, where
she met Jack. She began her Fiduciary Career as a Personnel Assistant in 1982 and earned an MBA from New York University in
1988.
Fiduciary lost 87 employees during the Attacks, and, over the years, Gentul said, Former
Associates have recounted Alayne's actions.
"That thoughtfulness and calmness is what many of her Colleagues felt saved many People,"
Gentul said. "Her resolve to indeed evacuate everyone sent her up instead of down that day."
Alayne called 911 two minutes before the Building collapsed, saying Employees needed to get
out.
While speaking with her Husband on the Phone, she told him Smoke was pouring through the
Air Ducts. The Couple said their Goodbyes.
"She was doing her Job until the moment she Died," Gentul said. "That's her Legacy in terms
of what it means to be dedicated to your Colleagues and their well-being."
Alayne's actions will be part of an upcoming Discovery Channel Documentary.
Gentul fields many calls from Reporters but turns down most Requests. But he said because
of Alayne's dedication to her Field, she would want him to tell the Story to HR Professionals.
"One thing my Wife taught me was what a great Field HR is," Gentul said.
"In so many ways, I've learned how important HR is to the functioning of an Organization
and how a really effective HR Operation can make all the difference.
Last Summer, Gentul remarried. His Wife has two Teenagers of her own, so the Family suddenly
has become "the Brady Bunch" replete with four kids and two Dogs, he said.
But the Legacy Alayne left is deeply rooted in him and his Sons. It's somethinng Gentul
hopes will carry on to their Grandchildren.
"We talk about her every day," Gentul said. "There is not a day that she is not mentioned.
But it's not sadness anymore. It's all Affection and Humor and Remembrance."
