"On /11 Phil lost family and the nature of his relations was shown"


Dear Cousins: (Rick, Greg, Mark, Paul, Pam, Val, Patricia, Camille, Angela, John L, Ron L, Marie N., Jim M., Gerard M., Tommy & Philip B, Alyson C.; Jennifer M. in that order; cc: Nonie; Kerrin, Pat)

I hope all of you are recovering emotionally from the sad events of the last month.  It's been a sad week in our family and we send our condolences to the  Bergers.

Jim Berger, husband of Elena's daughter Suzanne and a senior VP with Aon Corp, became a hero on the day of the WTC attack, leading his employees to safety in two elevators that dropped to the lobby just before the second plane hit Tower 2. Jim ran back to his offices to be sure everyone was evacuated. He is still officially listed as "missing."
 

Some may recall attending Suzanne and Jim Berger's wedding and marveling at the great time they had with their siblings, cousins, and friends as they sang, "So happy to be stuck with you" and  Van Morrison's tune that begins "What a Wonderful Night to Go dancin'"...Intensely good time.
 
 

I thought you might want to see the attached items. Elena's son-in law, Jim, was the subject of an Associated Press wire story because Bruce Springsteen called Suzanne and also sent her a taped message and song for his memorial service.

RE:  Elena Torregrossa's son-in-law, James P. Berger, married to Suzanne (Torregrossa) Berger
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Briefly
USA TODAY, DATE: 10/08/01
(Excerpt)
Local hero: Bruce Springsteen, at a memorial service in Yardley, Pa., on Friday, gave a special videotaped tribute to a fan who died in the Sept. 11 World Trade Center attack. James Berger, 44, a senior vice president at AON Consulting Group, died while helping co-workers escape. Springsteen dedicated his performance to Berger's three sons. "I understand this was one of your pop's favorite songs," he said before singing Thunder Road.

GNviaNewsEDGE

Copyright (c) 2001 Gannett/USA TODAY Electronic News
Received by NewsEdge Insight: 10/08/2001 15:36:38
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The Associated Press State & Local Wire

October 6, 2001, Saturday, BC cycle

HEADLINE: Springsteen sends videotaped condolences to family of terror attack victim
DATELINE: YARDLEY, Pa.
BODY:
A videotaped message from Bruce Springsteen was played at a memorial service attended by 1,000 people for one of the victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
James P. "Jim" Berger, 44, a senior vice president of the insurance company AON Consulting Group, died during the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City. Co-workers said Berger took control of his 156 employees soon after the first skyscraper was struck by a jetliner, shepherding them down the stairs or on the elevators to safety from their 101st-floor offices.
Berger was also described by friends and family as being a big fan of Bruce Springsteen.
Near the end of the 2 1/2-hour memorial service Friday at St. Ignatius Church in Lower Makefield Township, Bucks County, Berger's widow Suzanne spoke briefly before playing the Springsteen tribute.
"I am so proud my husband was able to put other people in front of himself in the face of what must have been unbelievable fear," she said before the lights dimmed and Springsteen appeared on a large screen set up for the service.
"Suzanne, I just wanted to let you know that Patti's and my thoughts are with you today," Springsteen said.
He then spoke to Berger's three sons.
"For Nicholas, this is for you. For Alexander, this is for you. For Christian, this is for you. I understand this was one of your Pop's favorite songs."
Then, with a harmonica in his mouth and a guitar in his hands, Springsteen began to play "Thunder Road."
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The Philadelphia Inquirer
October 6, 2001
James Berger, 44, lost in trade center
James Berger, 44, who was last seen shepherding his Aon Corp. coworkers into an elevator on the 101st floor of the World Trade Center's South Tower, is presumed to have been killed in the Sept. 11 terrorist attack. Mr. Berger, who lived in Yardley, was a senior vice president with the insurance firm. He was on the phone with his wife, Suzanne, when the first jet crashed, into the North Tower.” He said, 'Listen, Suze, I just want you to know that something's going on. The lights are flickering. I have to go...

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For expressions of sympathy, Suzanne Berger's address is:
650 Brindan Road
Yardley, PA 19067
Elena Torregrossa's phone number is 732-671-1081

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May they rest in peace.
If you have other cousins' e-mails, please pass this along and copy me so that I can start to create a "cousins" list.  Maybe it's time for a newsletter (but without those general forwarded messages from other sources) and a reunion.

We also may want to consider doing something jointly for the Berger family.  That would be a great way to contribute to "the cause" and to aid WTC victims in our own family.  Suzanne and Jim had three sons, ages 8, 6, and 2.

To those of you who were in NYC that day and experienced the terrible event  (Lisa LaF, Lisa Gen, JohnOC) we’re so thankful you escaped safely, but realize your terror during those terrible early hours. Stay strong and we promise that the next correspondence will be more light-hearted.
 

Love,
Nonie