Two Thousand Oaks men were killed in last Friday's Metrolink crash.

Ernest Kish, 47, and Christopher Aiken, 38, were on the way home to their families after working at their jobs in Burbank.

"He caught the early one that day and almost made it home," said Kit Lloyd, brother-in-law of Kish.

Lloyd described Kish as a "super kind man" who loved his wife, Janice; son, Alex, 17; and daughter, Lori, 10. Just three weeks ago he gave his wife a surprise birthday party with "tons of people." Now those same people are gathering together again to honor their friend.

Aiken also took the earlier train on Friday to get home to his wife, Sharon, and twin stepdaughters, Katie and Samantha, 15.

"He was a devoted father and husband and an awesome friend," said Monica Lichtenstein, his manager and friend.

Co-workers of Janice Kish at Los Robles Regional Hospital have set up a trust fund for Kish's children at the Bank of America on Janss Road.

For information about a trust fund being created for the Aikens family, call Lichtenstein at Aramark at (818) 973-3513.

—Nancy Needham