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{{infobox person
{{infobox person
|name=Benjamin Clark
|name=Benjamin Clark
|image=File:Benjamin Clark.jpeg
|birth_name=Benjamin Keefe Clark
|birth_name=Benjamin Keefe Clark
|birth_date={{birth date|1962|6|30}}
|birth_date={{birth date|1962|6|30}}
|birth_place=[[New York City]], U.S.
|birth_place=[[New York City]], U.S.
|death_date={{death date and age|2001|9|11|1962|6|30}}
|death_date={{death date and age|2001|9|11|1962|6|30}}
|death_place=[[2 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|South Tower]], [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]], [[New York City]], U.S.
⚫
|death_cause=[[September 11 attacks]]
|death_place=[[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|2 World Trade Center]], New York City, U.S.
|death_cause=[[Collapse of the World Trade Center|Collapse]] of [[2 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|2 World Trade Center]] during the [[September 11 attacks]]
|education=[[John Dewey High School]]<br>[[Le Cordon Bleu]]
|nationality=American
|occupation=Chef
|occupation=Chef
|spouse=Lashawn Clark
|spouse=LaShawn Clark
|children=5
|children=5
}}
}}
'''Benjamin Keefe Clark''' (June 30, 1962 – September 11, 2001) was an American chef and victim of the [[September 11 attacks]]. Clark was working as the only corporate chef for hundreds of employees on the 96th floor of the [[List of tenants in 2 World Trade Center|South Tower]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] that day. He urged people down the stairs, possibly saving hundreds of lives while losing his own in the process.
'''Benjamin Keefe Clark''' (June 30, 1962 – September 11, 2001) was an American chef and a victim of the [[September 11 attacks]]. Clark was working as the only corporate chef for hundreds of employees on the 96th floor of the [[2 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|South Tower]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]] that day. He urged people down the stairs, possibly saving hundreds of lives while losing his own in the process.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/11/nyregion/at-ground-zero-bagpipes-readings-and-flowers.html|title=At Ground Zero: Bagpipes, Readings and Flowers|url-access=limited|work=[[The New York Times]]|date=September 11, 2002|access-date=March 7, 2024|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221207101803/https://www.nytimes.com/2002/09/11/nyregion/at-ground-zero-bagpipes-readings-and-flowers.html|archive-date=December 7, 2022|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Life and career==
Benjamin Keefe Clark, also known as Keefe, was born in [[Brooklyn]] on June 30, 1962. He served as a [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]] before returning to New York to pursue cooking, a passion he picked up from his mother. After receiving an education at [[Le Cordon Bleu]], Clark joined [[Sodexo]] and became an executive chef for corporation clients.<ref name="memorial">{{cite web|url=https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/remembering-benjamin-clark-executive-chef|title=Remembering Benjamin Clark, Executive Chef|publisher=[[National September 11 Memorial & Museum]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref>
Benjamin Keefe Clark, also known as Keefe, was born in [[Brooklyn]], New York, on June 30, 1962, and graduated from [[John Dewey High School]] in 1980. A [[United States Marine Corps|United States Marine]], Clark served in the [[Gulf War]] and became a [[corporal]] before returning to New York to pursue cooking, a passion and skill he picked up from his mother. After receiving an education at [[Le Cordon Bleu]], Clark joined [[Sodexo]] and became an executive chef for corporate clients.


At the time of his death, Clark was 39 years old and resided in Brooklyn. He left behind a wife and five children.<ref name="CNN">{{cite web|last1=Smaldone|first1=Aurora|last2=Arce|first2=Rose|last3=Botelho|first3=Greg|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/america.remembers/stories/heroes/clark.html|title=Benjamin "Keefe" Clark|publisher=[[CNN|CNN.com]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref>
At the time of his death, Clark resided in Brooklyn with his wife and five children.<ref name="memorial">{{cite web|url=https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/remembering-benjamin-clark-executive-chef|title=Remembering Benjamin Clark, Executive Chef|publisher=[[National September 11 Memorial & Museum]]|access-date=September 11, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914182535/https://www.911memorial.org/connect/blog/remembering-benjamin-clark-executive-chef|archive-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref><ref name="CNN">{{cite web|last1=Smaldone|first1=Aurora|last2=Arce|first2=Rose|last3=Botelho|first3=Greg|url=http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/america.remembers/stories/heroes/clark.html|title=Benjamin "Keefe" Clark|location=New York|publisher=[[CNN|CNN.com]]|access-date=September 11, 2023|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914182542/http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2002/america.remembers/stories/heroes/clark.html|archive-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref>


==Death==
⚫
==September 11 attacks==
On September 11, 2001, Clark was working as the sole corporate chef for more than 250 Fiduciary Trust employees on the 96th floor of the [[List of tenants in 2 World Trade Center|South Tower]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]. After the neighboring [[List of tenants in 1 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|North Tower]] was struck by [[American Airlines Flight 11]], but before [[United Airlines Flight 175]] crashed into the South Tower, Clark began urging hundreds of people out of their offices and down the stairs. He was last seen assisting a woman in a wheelchair along with three other people. Clark was killed in the collapse of the building.<ref name="memorial"/>
On September 11, 2001, Clark was working as the sole corporate chef for more than 250 Fiduciary Trust employees on the 96th floor of the [[2 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|South Tower]] of the [[World Trade Center (1973–2001)|World Trade Center]]. After the neighboring [[1 World Trade Center (1971–2001)|North Tower]] was struck by [[American Airlines Flight 11]], but before [[United Airlines Flight 175]] crashed into the South Tower, Clark began urging hundreds of people out of their offices and down the stairs. He was last seen assisting a woman in a wheelchair on the 88th floor along with three maintenance workers.<ref name="CNN"/><ref>{{cite news|last=Otterman|first=Sharon|date=September 11, 2018|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/nyregion/september-11-anniversary-memorial.html|title=At 9/11 Memorial, Remembering Those Lost|url-access=limited|work=[[The New York Times]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210903181837/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/11/nyregion/september-11-anniversary-memorial.html|archive-date=September 3, 2021|access-date=March 7, 2024}}</ref> Clark and the others were killed in the ensuing collapse of the building.<ref name="memorial"/><ref name="obituary">{{cite web|url=https://obits.pennlive.com/us/obituaries/pennlive/name/benjamin-clark-obituary?pid=121726|title=Benjamin Clark Obituary|publisher=[[The Patriot-News|PennLive.com]]|date=October 30, 2001|access-date=September 11, 2023|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914182535/https://obits.pennlive.com/us/obituaries/pennlive/name/benjamin-clark-obituary?pid=121726|archive-date=September 14, 2023}}</ref>


According to Fiduciary senior vice president Bibi Conrad, Clark was likely responsible for the escape of hundreds of his company's employees. Reportedly, after several hundred people had fled downstairs to safety, Clark traveled back up to ensure that everyone else had left.<ref name="CNN"/>
According to Fiduciary senior vice president Bibi Conrad, Clark was likely responsible for the escape of hundreds of his company's employees. Reportedly, after several hundred people had fled downstairs to safety, Clark traveled back up to ensure that everyone else had left.<ref name="CNN"/>


One of Clark's children, then-17-year-old Chaz, witnessed the attacks from [[Stuyvesant High School]], where he was a student.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://obits.pennlive.com/us/obituaries/pennlive/name/benjamin-clark-obituary?pid=121726|title=Benjamin Clark Obituary|publisher=[[The Patriot-News|PennLive.com]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref>
One of Clark's children, then-17-year-old Chaz, witnessed the attacks from [[Stuyvesant High School]], where he was a student.<ref name="obituary"/>


==Aftermath and legacy==
==Aftermath and legacy==
Clark's memorial service in October was attended by 800 people, including Marines and chefs in their respective attires. Many of the people who attended the service were alive because of Clark's actions.<ref name="daly">{{cite news|last=Daly|first=Michael|date=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-story-of-an-unsung-911-hero|title=The Story of an Unsung 9/11 Hero|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref>
Clark's [[Funeral|memorial service]], held in downtown Brooklyn in October, was attended by more than 1,200 people,<ref name="daily beast">{{cite news|last=Daly|first=Michael|date=April 20, 2017|url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-story-of-an-unsung-911-hero|title=The Story of an Unsung 9/11 Hero|url-access=limited|work=[[The Daily Beast]]|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230914182534/https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-story-of-an-unsung-911-hero|archive-date=September 14, 2023|access-date=September 11, 2023}}</ref> including Marines and chefs in their respective attire.<ref name="CNN"/> Many of the people who attended the service were alive because of Clark's actions.<ref name="daily beast"/>


Speaking of Clark, his wife, Lashawn, stated: "I still can't look at him in the past tense because I look at my children and the legacy is still there -- the giving, the caring, the loving person." Channing Thornton, a childhood pal of Clark, stated: "Keefe was always trying to make life better for others. He always looked out for everyone else besides himself. Wherever Keefe is now, he's probably making a good meal, and smiling."
Clark's wife, LaShawn, reminiscing about her late husband, stated: "I still can't look at him in the past tense because I look at my children and the legacy is still there -- the giving, the caring, the loving person." A childhood friend of Clark's added: "Keefe was always trying to make life better for others. He always looked out for everyone else besides himself. Wherever Keefe is now, he's probably making a good meal, and smiling."<ref name="CNN"/>


Patricia Hannigan, who served as Clark's district manager at Sodexho for five years, recalled that he "had a great temperament, was cooperative no matter what and was always very respectful."<ref name="CNN"/>
Patricia Hannigan, who served as Clark's district manager at Sodexo for five years, recalled that "[h]e had a great temperament, was cooperative no matter what and was always very respectful".<ref name="CNN"/>


Clark's mother, Elsie Clark, hangs a banner on the fence alongside the front-yard memorial to her son at midnight every September 11. According to Elsie, on September 11, 2001, one of Clark's children had woken up at 4:00&nbsp;am while he was getting ready for work and warned him not to go into work that day. Elsie recommended that her own street be named Benjamin Keefe Clark Avenue in honor of her son.<ref name="daly"/>
Clark's mother, Elsie Clark, hangs a [[banner]] on the fence alongside a front yard memorial to her son at midnight every September 11. According to Elsie, on September 11, 2001, one of Clark's children had woken up at 4:00 a.m. while Clark was getting ready for work and warned him not to go in that day. Elsie suggested that her street be named Benjamin Keefe Clark Avenue in honor of her son.<ref name="daily beast"/>

At the [[National September 11 Memorial & Museum|National September 11 Memorial]], Clark is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-39.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/names-911-memorial|title=Names on the 9/11 Memorial {{!}} National September 11 Memorial & Museum|publisher=[[National September 11 Memorial & Museum]]|access-date=October 4, 2024}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
*[[Casualties of the September 11 attacks]]
*[[List of victims of the September 11 attacks (A–G)]]
*[[Kevin Cosgrove]]
*[[Kevin Cosgrove]]
*[[Melissa Doi]]
*[[Melissa Doi]]
*[[Frank De Martini]]
*[[Frank De Martini]]
*[[Marisa DiNardo]]


==References==
==References==
Line 46: Line 52:
==External links==
==External links==
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6358402/benjamin-keefe-clark Benjamin Keefe Clark] at [[Find a Grave]]
*[https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6358402/benjamin-keefe-clark Benjamin Keefe Clark] at [[Find a Grave]]

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{{Authority control}}
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{{Casualties of the September 11 attacks}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|New York City}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|New York City}}
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{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Benjamin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Benjamin}}
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:2001 deaths]]
[[Category:21st-century American military personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century American military personnel]]
[[Category:20th-century American military personnel]]
[[Category:United States Marine Corps non-commissioned officers]]
[[Category:Victims of the September 11 attacks]]
[[Category:Victims of the September 11 attacks]]
[[Category:People murdered in New York City]]
[[Category:People murdered in New York City]]
[[Category:Male murder victims]]
[[Category:Terrorism deaths in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Terrorism deaths in New York (state)]]
[[Category:Chefs from New York City]]
[[Category:Chefs from New York City]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:People from Brooklyn]]
[[Category:John Dewey High School alumni]]
⚫
[[Category:September 11 attacks]]
[[Category:People killed by al-Qaeda]]

Latest revision as of 02:57, 7 October 2024

Benjamin Clark
Born
Benjamin Keefe Clark

(1962-06-30)June 30, 1962
New York City, U.S.
DiedSeptember 11, 2001(2001-09-11) (aged 39)
South Tower, World Trade Center, New York City, U.S.
Cause of deathCollapse of 2 World Trade Center during the September 11 attacks
EducationJohn Dewey High School
Le Cordon Bleu
OccupationChef
SpouseLaShawn Clark
Children5

Benjamin Keefe Clark (June 30, 1962 – September 11, 2001) was an American chef and a victim of the September 11 attacks. Clark was working as the only corporate chef for hundreds of employees on the 96th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center that day. He urged people down the stairs, possibly saving hundreds of lives while losing his own in the process.[1]

Life and career

[edit]

Benjamin Keefe Clark, also known as Keefe, was born in Brooklyn, New York, on June 30, 1962, and graduated from John Dewey High School in 1980. A United States Marine, Clark served in the Gulf War and became a corporal before returning to New York to pursue cooking, a passion and skill he picked up from his mother. After receiving an education at Le Cordon Bleu, Clark joined Sodexo and became an executive chef for corporate clients.

At the time of his death, Clark resided in Brooklyn with his wife and five children.[2][3]

Death

[edit]

On September 11, 2001, Clark was working as the sole corporate chef for more than 250 Fiduciary Trust employees on the 96th floor of the South Tower of the World Trade Center. After the neighboring North Tower was struck by American Airlines Flight 11, but before United Airlines Flight 175 crashed into the South Tower, Clark began urging hundreds of people out of their offices and down the stairs. He was last seen assisting a woman in a wheelchair on the 88th floor along with three maintenance workers.[3][4] Clark and the others were killed in the ensuing collapse of the building.[2][5]

According to Fiduciary senior vice president Bibi Conrad, Clark was likely responsible for the escape of hundreds of his company's employees. Reportedly, after several hundred people had fled downstairs to safety, Clark traveled back up to ensure that everyone else had left.[3]

One of Clark's children, then-17-year-old Chaz, witnessed the attacks from Stuyvesant High School, where he was a student.[5]

Aftermath and legacy

[edit]

Clark's memorial service, held in downtown Brooklyn in October, was attended by more than 1,200 people,[6] including Marines and chefs in their respective attire.[3] Many of the people who attended the service were alive because of Clark's actions.[6]

Clark's wife, LaShawn, reminiscing about her late husband, stated: "I still can't look at him in the past tense because I look at my children and the legacy is still there -- the giving, the caring, the loving person." A childhood friend of Clark's added: "Keefe was always trying to make life better for others. He always looked out for everyone else besides himself. Wherever Keefe is now, he's probably making a good meal, and smiling."[3]

Patricia Hannigan, who served as Clark's district manager at Sodexo for five years, recalled that "[h]e had a great temperament, was cooperative no matter what and was always very respectful".[3]

Clark's mother, Elsie Clark, hangs a banner on the fence alongside a front yard memorial to her son at midnight every September 11. According to Elsie, on September 11, 2001, one of Clark's children had woken up at 4:00 a.m. while Clark was getting ready for work and warned him not to go in that day. Elsie suggested that her street be named Benjamin Keefe Clark Avenue in honor of her son.[6]

At the National September 11 Memorial, Clark is memorialized at the South Pool, on Panel S-39.[7]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "At Ground Zero: Bagpipes, Readings and Flowers". The New York Times. September 11, 2002. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2024 – via NYTimes.com.
  2. ^ a b "Remembering Benjamin Clark, Executive Chef". National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Smaldone, Aurora; Arce, Rose; Botelho, Greg. "Benjamin "Keefe" Clark". New York: CNN.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  4. ^ Otterman, Sharon (September 11, 2018). "At 9/11 Memorial, Remembering Those Lost". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 3, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Benjamin Clark Obituary". PennLive.com. October 30, 2001. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Daly, Michael (April 20, 2017). "The Story of an Unsung 9/11 Hero". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on September 14, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2023.
  7. ^ "Names on the 9/11 Memorial | National September 11 Memorial & Museum". National September 11 Memorial & Museum. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
[edit]
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