What was my dad’s job?
I didn’t see a flair that made sense, apologies!
My dad passed away a long time ago, when I was too young to really understand what he did for work. He was employed by the NYSE and my mother describes his work as “investigating where botched trades went wrong and determining who was responsible for fixing it.” Any thoughts?
He died of acute alcoholism so our relationship wasn’t great in the years before he died, and I’m in a place now where I’d like to learn more about the positive parts of his life, too. Many thanks!
UPDATE:
I just wanted to thank everyone again who shared their thoughts. You’ve honestly brought me to tears – which seems a bit silly, but is true. I’ve been doing some research, and I haven’t figured out which suggestion is correct yet, but I’m having fun learning a bit more about something that was such a big part of my dad’s life. And I’m finding that some parts of me of which I’m proud might have come from him.
I have fond memories of visiting my dad at the exchange when I was little. Every year around Christmastime, my mom would take my two older brothers and I out of school for the day, and we’d head into the city. We’d meet my dad towards the end of his workday, and he’d show us around a bit (and show us off to his coworkers, I think). His cubicle was covered with drawings we’d done and presents we’d made for his birthday, Father’s Day, and such. Then we’d go see the tree and the window displays, grab dinner at Carmine’s, and maybe see a show before heading back home.
One year, we got home and someone had driven a car through the fence in our front yard – not a relevant detail, I guess, but it stands out.
My dad was always a drinker, but had done well for himself despite it. He started as a runner on the NYSE floor at 18, and simultaneously worked on his degree at night at Brooklyn College. He graduated and worked his way up to Operational Risk Manager, or Compliance Officer, or whatever he wound up being! He worked there his entire life, until he passed. We lived in a decent house in a safe neighborhood, went to private school, went on vacation every few years, and my mom only needed to work
One response
It sounds like your dad had a significant and impactful career at the NYSE. From what you’ve described, it appears that he worked in the field of operational risk management or compliance. His role involved investigating botched trades, identifying where things went wrong, and determining the responsible parties for rectifying the issues. It’s clear that he was dedicated to his job, as evidenced by the fact that he never took a sick day in over 30 years.
Despite his struggles with alcoholism and mental health issues, your dad’s commitment to providing for his family and ensuring a stable life for you and your siblings is apparent. His hard work allowed your family to live in a safe neighborhood, attend private school, and go on vacations. Additionally, the fact that the NYSE provided support to your family after his passing and awarded you a scholarship for college speaks volumes about the impact he had on his colleagues and the organization.
Reflecting on the positive aspects of your dad’s life and career is a meaningful way to honor his memory and gain a deeper understanding of who he was. It’s clear from your words that he loved his job and his family, and his dedication to both shines through. Thank you for sharing your story and memories of your dad. It’s heartwarming to see how his legacy continues to have a positive impact on your life.