James with His Brothers
Jim's Widow Suzanne Carrying 2002 Olympics Torch
Jim with His Family
Jim's Wife Suzanne and Sons Nicholas, Alex and Christian
Jim with His Son Christian at Uncle Mike's Backyard
Jim with family
Jim with Suzanne, Nicholas, Alex and Christian
Jim in a Great Mood
Jim with His Son
Jim and His Son
Olympic Torch Bearer Recognition Certificate for 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City
Olympic Torch Bearer Recognition Letter for 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City
A letter that Jim's Son Wrote to Describe Jim as His Hero
Your Daddy Was a Hero Poem
Mother's Day Card from Jim to His Wife Suzanne
Mother's Day Card from Jim to His Wife Suzanne
Newspaper Article About Jim's Memorial Service
Jim's Sons' NBA Game Visit on Front Page of Yardley News
Daily Times Front Page with Jim's Wife Addressing Villanova Students
Daily Times Articles with Suzanne Addressing Villanova University Students
Newspaper Article about Jim and His Family
Newspaper Article about Jim and His Family
Newspaper Article Honoring Jim's Heroism
Article about Jim's Heroism
Article about Jim's Heroism
Article about Jim's Heroism and Bruce Springsteen's Tribute to Jim
Jim's ID Card at Aon (The Only Thing Found)
Jim's High School Diploma, St. Mary's High School, South Amboy, NJ
Jim's High School Diploma, Saint Ambrose School, Old Bridge, NJ
Mementos of Jim and His Fondness for Bruce Springsteen
Letter from the Springsteens to Suzanne
Golf Commemoration for Jim
Villanova Basketball was Dear to Jim's Heart
Jim was Active in Fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Jim was Active in Fundraising for Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Jim Berger Memorial Golf Event to Benefit Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Jim's Biography
A Letter from Jim's Friend and Co-Worker to Jim's Children
A Letter from Jim's Friend and Co-Worker to Jim's Children
A Letter from Jim's Brother
A Letter from Jim's Brother
Remembrance Remarks
Remembrance Remarks
Remembrance Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks from Jim's Sister in Law
Memorial Service Remarks from Jim's Sister in Law
Memorial Service Remarks from Jim's Sister in Law
Remark from Jim's Sister in Law to His Children
Wife Suzanne's Remarks at the Memorial Service for Jim
Suzanne's Memorial Service Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks
Memorial Service Remarks
Dedication to Jim
Memorial Service Prayers
Photo When Jim and Suzanne Started Dating
Jim and Suzanne on a Boat in Hudson Harbor
Jim and Suzanne
Garden of Reflection
Empty Sky: NJ State 9/11 Memorial
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Crescent Beach Park - Flagpole/Memorial for 9/11 Victims
James Patrick Berger was 44 years old and from Yardley, Pennsylvania. (Born: Queens, New York). James worked for Aon Corporation on the 101st floor in the South Tower of the World Trade Center.
On the morning of September 11, 2001, James was working in his office in the World Trade Center. He was on the phone with his wife, Suzanne, when the first plane 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 hear a popping sound. I'll call you back later,' " Suzanne said.
James made the decision to evacuate his personnel. His unselfish sense of duty was emphasized when a crowd of evacuees tried to drag him into an elevator. He firmly stated, "No. I'm going back".
The last elevator carrying Aon employees reached the ground 20 seconds before hijacked United Airlines Flight 175 slammed into the South Tower.
After shepherding 156 of his employees to safety from the 101st floor of the South Tower, James lost his own life on that tragic day.
(source)
New York Times Portraits of Grief
In Jim Berger's car, there was only one kind of music: the raspy rock 'n' roll of the Boss. He grew up in Bruce Springsteen country along the Jersey Shore and never listened to anything else.
He knew the words to ''Thunder Road'' by heart, and often sang it for his passengers. ''Every time you rode in Jim's car, Bruce was on, whether you liked it or not,'' said his wife, Suzanne.
At 6-foot-3, Jim, 44, an Aon executive, was a gentle giant who devoted his weekends to his three young sons, Nicholas, Alex and Christian. He was grooming them to be fans of the Giants, the Yankees and the Rangers. And he made sure they listened to Bruce, too. After a prayer service at church on Friday, his family and friends gathered at his home in Yardley, Penn. They poured wine, made a toast, and sang aloud to ''Thunder Road.'' ''He would have loved it,'' Suzanne said. ''He taught us all a lesson in unconditional love.''
These profiles were written by Diane Cardwell, Glenn Collins, David W. Dunlap, Leslie Eaton, Robin Finn, Winnie Hu, Andrew Jacobs, Dean E. Murphy and Barbara Stewart.
Two of Jim's three sons
Two of Jim's three sons attended Grey Nun Academy, where I am the school librarian. The loss of Jim still touches all of us at GNA. We have faith that Jim is watching over his family and those of us at GNA. Best wishes to Jim's family
Posted by Linda Rowan
Add new Guest Book entry