Mark Shulman was a 'kind of quiet guy who loved sports,' said his wife, Lori, suggesting the personality profile of an average Joe. But there was more.
He was, undeniably, a sports fan, attending Giants and Rangers games as often as possible, or taking them in on television at home in Old Bridge, N.J. But overriding all was a dedication to his daughters, Jamie, 13, and Melissa, 17, in whom he instilled a zest for accomplishment.
Mr. Shulman was the coach of Jamie's soccer team, the Old Bridge Road Runners, spending weekends traveling to games across central New Jersey. He had been looking forward to Jamie's bat mitzvah, which was celebrated on Nov. 17, a day Mrs. Shulman recalls as 'bittersweet.'
He was also working closely with Melissa, a high school senior, on college applications. His advice was 'go for the best,' Mrs. Shulman said, adding that 'he would have been so proud' when news came this month of Melissa's early admission to Princeton.
A 47-year-old mechanical engineer, Mr. Shulman worked as a fire protection specialist for Marsh & McClennan on the 100th floor of the World Trade Center.
'He did evacuation plans for clients,' Mr. Shulman said. 'If anybody knew how to get out, he would have been the one.'