PEORIA, Ill. – The father of the only Peoria-native to die in the September 11th attacks is reflecting on his son as the 25th anniversary nears.
Charles “Chip” Chan worked as a currency and bond trader for Cantor Fitzgerald, working in the 105th floor of the North Tower. He was 23 years old the day of the attacks.
John Chan joined WMBD’s “The Phil Luciano Show” to reflect on his son.
“He’s a hardworking young man, he’s very smart, very talented, and a very honest young man as well,” John Chan said.
John says working at Cantor Fitzgerald was part of his dream job, as Chip liked to invest in stocks. Chip went to England for Cantor Fitzgerald, with John noting that Chip considered going to Japan at one point.
John remembers that Chip would call home every one to two weeks to catch up with family and chat about his job.
To this day, John says the anniversary will be impactful, in part because Chip has not been found, and they’re reaching the point where he may never be found.
Artifacts and momentos of Chip’s are one display at the Peoria Riverfront Museum, as part of the “We Remember” exhibit, which opened this past Saturday and runs through April.
“People gave us stuff, the folks in New York would send us a piece of steel that has some initials and things on it, and 9/11/2001,” John Chan said. “We thought it’s just sitting in a cabinet. We want to get this out where people can see it.”
John says one of the most important items is a quilt made by students from Richwoods High School, where Chip graduated from. The quilt features panels that remember Chip, as well as reflections upon the day of 9/11.
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