Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Michael Benjamin Packer
Michael Benjamin Packer
Obituary
Guest Book
Michael Packer Obituary
Michael B. Packer had a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which came in very handy at his children's science fairs and birthday parties.
"When you walked into the house, you usually walked into a scientific experiment," said Ronald Soiefer, a close friend who had met Mr. Packer when they were Harvard undergraduates. One contraption had a microphone hooked up to a laptop computer, which recorded human voices and showed them as sound waves on a colored screen.
Mr. Packer, 45, of Hartsdale, N.Y., had many other sides. He played the piano and, in his spare time, made harpsichords, a trade he had learned as a student at Phillips Exeter Academy and Harvard. He made sure that his children — Sarita, 11, and Jonathan, 7 — were steeped in the classics. In June, he and his wife, Rekha, took the children on a tour of the Aegean Islands, following in the footsteps of Homer's Ulysses.
Mr. Packer, who was to be the keynote speaker at a technology conference at Windows on the World on Sept. 11, joined Merrill Lynch in 1999 as a leader of a major e-commerce initiative. "He was very good at managing things," said Mrs. Packer, who remembers most vividly how he coped with the family, the house, his job and her convalescence when she suffered a brain injury in 1990. "Nothing really got him down. We really miss him for that now."
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
William Bales
October 17, 2024
My deepest condolences to Mrs. Packer and the children. Michael was a classmate and friend of mine during 6th grade at Fernwood Elementary School in Bethesda, Md. He had skipped 5th grade and here was this little kid among us 6th graders. He was the first real genius I had ever been around. He fascinated me, though his genius intimidated some. While we were marveling at the new "super balls" because of their amazing bouncing ability, Michael was curious about their physics and the mathematics at work! He was kind and friendly, but I remembering thinking to myself, "What are you doing at this school? You're way beyond us already." I always wondered what would become of him, and assumed he would make a mark in the world, which he obviously did. It was very sad to read, some years ago, that he had died at 9/11. It is a condolence to read so many comments on what a good man he became. It would have been really fun to have met him later in life and hear him play his harpsichord. May his soul rest in peace and in the arms of God.
Alan Gaynor
September 11, 2023
I first met Michael when I interviewed him for Simon & Schuster. Aside from his professional and educational qualifications, what I remember most was how human he was. He was real, understood the meaning of life and treated everyone equally with dignity and respect. Moreover, when my brother died in 1995 (Harvard class of '77), Michael was one of the first to reach out and give me his condolences. I'm still in shock that he is gone but not from our memories.
M Gold bless him and his family always.
Jayne Richardson
December 25, 2019
Remembering Micheal who was uead of technology at Bankers Trust when I worked as the administer in London office. I was sorry to hear he was in windows on the world on 9/11
Hayden Gould
February 22, 2019
We are travelling from the UK. I came to pay my respects to everyone effected by what happened that day. Whilst walking aroundMicheals photo stuck out to me in the memorial. Then after we went up to the fountains the first white rose I walked up to was Micheals. Me and my wife have just found out we are having out first child and I would like to name him after Micheal. I will never forget. From UK to America God bless you all
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
October 29, 2017
We were distant cousins, and although I am not sure if we had ever even met, his memory is alive, and I often think of this man, whose life was cut short way too soon.
KUNKEL KUNKEL
January 26, 2017
Marc
October 19, 2016
Michael was very kind to me and I remember him often and fondly; he was really somebody.
Kay Gore
September 12, 2016
I still think of Michael often, but especially on 9/11. I believe that every life that was so lucky to be touched by Michael will never forget him or be the same. He made each of us a bit better for knowing him. He was one of those rare human beings who was not only a genius but who was kind, generous, and thoughtful. Knowing him was both a joy and an honor. He was an authentic person whose love and loyalty to his family was reflected in his every action. I first met Michael when Viacom/Simon & Schuster bought Invest. I was charged with overseeing transferring our extensive network-based software program to the Internet. Various people at S&S directed me to Michael who, among his many tasks within the Viacom family of companies, was a leader in their Internet strategy (this was back in the commercial infancy of the Internet). Bruce Wilcox and I flew up to New Jersey to the S&S offices and met with Michael who was very generous with his time and his insights. His warmth, humor, kindness, and patience with us did not bespeak a person as powerful and held in such high esteem as Michael was within Viacom. He treated us as equals and was from that time on, as long as S&S was part of Viacom, available to us. In my life, I have been very blessed to know and (and even, if lucky, call friends) many very intelligent, creative, innovative, and talented people, many of whom are/were even very famous. I always cherish the time I spend with each as I grow as a person from their wisdom, kindness, and talents, but Michael was special, very special. I grieve for his two children who are young adults now and in whom Michael took particular pride and joy and his lovely wife. Forty-five years was far too brief a life. We miss you, Michael.
Yeshka Boragina
September 12, 2016
I will not forget. A person that used to work with you came by the 2996 project yesterday.
S.J. Friscia III
September 11, 2016
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
Rafael Fortes
May 1, 2015
Paz para a sua família
Owen
September 11, 2012
Hello, Mike - I was listening to some Schubert four-hand music that we had (mis)played at PEA in our salad days, when I realized it was that day again. We'll remember you at our reunion. Wish you could be there!
Bruce Weber
July 21, 2012
I enjoyed working with Mike at MAC Group in Cambridge, MA, 1984-86 - before he moved to NY and Merrill Lynch. He was a quick study, expected excellence, and raised the level of everyone's work.
September 13, 2011
Rekha,
You've been on my mind. I send you my best wishes at this milestone time.
Beverly Grasso
Marcia Lynch-Taylor
September 11, 2011
Rekha,
My deepest sympathies to you and your children. Michael was my first boss when I started to work at MIT September 1980. It was a pleasure knowing him.
Marcie
Raggedy Cat
September 11, 2011
Dear Michael,
It has been 10 years. I just finished listening to your name being read at the service taking place right now at what they call here,"Ground Zero", Bless you and all of those who are suffering your loss. God Bless..Huggles and Love~Raggedy
Patrick Crump
September 11, 2011
Our Merrill proctor. Always smiling. Finis Origine Pendet.
Patrick Crump PEA75
sybille desclozeaux
September 9, 2011
une pensée très émue pour Michael sa famille et une affection toujours très présente pour ses parents Dorothy et Leo.
Sybille et christophe
August 31, 2011
THINKING OF YOU
Greg Evans
September 6, 2009
The world lost a wonderful man, a man I knew only from the stories my father told me. He said Michael was the most brilliant man he'd ever known. My family sends their condolences. I write this message eight years later because Michael's memory should never be forgotten. He touched many people.
Chris Burns
September 11, 2008
I did not know Michael. I was visiting the traveling 911 exhibit. I took a close-up picture of one of the yellow ribbons. Michael's name is the picture I captured. I enjoyed reading about him. Michael gave much to society and his family.
Thank you for sharing Michael with me and your family will be in my prays.
Kind Regards,
Unni Warrier
September 13, 2007
Michael:
Your memory lives!
P Tabbernor
January 25, 2007
In memory....
Kristine
November 29, 2006
As I cross-stitched your name on the memorial that I am doing for all of the victims, I prayed for you and your family. Please know that your death was not in vain. We will always remember. God Bless.
vicki coast
September 12, 2006
i am truly sorry, you lost your husband and father, i don't know any of the people personally that was killed in this horrific time, but i pray for all of you every day that you will have peace knowing your love one did not die in vain, what happened that fateful day was the most awful thing i can even imagine. i live on the west coast of the usa and i was watching television news when the cowards attacked those brave souls. i know it is litle comfort to have your loved ones picture up, i also know you would do anything to have him there with you. please accept my sinsere condolences for this horrible act of terror. please know you and your love one is in our prayers and thoughts every day. america will never forget those who perished on that fateful day as well as our loved ones who are fighting the war on terror in the battlefields of iraq and afghanistan. please keep them in your prayers also. god bless you all and may you some day have peace knowing that your loved ones death has been avenged.
Mary Johnsson
September 11, 2006
Rekha,
My thoughts are with you, Jonathan and Sarita on this difficult anniversary. Michael hired me into the MAC Group and continued to be an inspirational mentor to me as we both navigated careers beyond management consulting. His unconditional generosity, empathy and sense of humor remains a memory I will always treasure.
Katherine Savige
April 7, 2005
Dear Michael and family,
I'll always remember the day I met Michael Packer - when he interviewed me at Micromodeling Associates way back when. I knew right away he was one of those special people that make life worth living.
Michael never missed an opportunity to be a human being, to say something intelligent, to find the humor. He understood without me having to explain.
I wish the best for your family always....
Ryan Larkin
September 10, 2004
Rekha-
My thoughts are with you, Jon, Sarita, and Michael. To this day, Michael is still an inspiration to many of us and he is greatly missed.
Regards,
Ryan
Maria and John Capano
September 11, 2003
Rekha
Maria and I think about you and Michael all the time. He was a kind, brilliant person and those qualities will live on in your children. One of Maria's great joys was hiring/working with Michael at BT. Please let us know if there is anything you need.
Maria and John
moses reynolds
September 4, 2003
Hello Rekha, Sarita and Jonathan,
Not one day goes by that my thoughts wander about Michael. We worked at Merrill Lynch at the same time as he was in charge of approving our infrastructure team's financing for E-commerce growth. He struck me as someone with such due dilligence and due care in the myriad of projects that we were working on. I knew for certain that anywhere he goes, he'd be the leader of the pack. I miss him terribly. Why? I was booked and scheduled to be at the same Towers for the same technology conference on that fateful day 9-11-01. Survivor guilt it's called. Please e-mail or call if there is anything I can do. May God Bless....
~moses
516-790-0999
[email protected]
September 19, 2002
I love u
Janelle L. Anderson
September 14, 2002
Michael, I will always remember you as a man filled with so much enthusiasm for life. I'm thankful I had the privelege of working in your home for one year. Your dedication to Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan was evident every day - when you spent your evenings and your weekends with them, they lit up with excess excitement. That will stay imprinted upon their lives forever. They thought the world of you and they will miss you the most.
For your optimism, joy, strength, laughter, intelligence, kindness, and devotion to your family: you will never be forgotten.
To Rekha, Sarita, and Jonathan: I wish you the best of all good things. May Michael's enthusiasm for life, live on in yours.
God Bless,
Love,
Janelle L. Anderson
(Former Nanny, 1999-2000)
Shannon McCaffery
September 11, 2002
Michael,
I didn't know you really well. But I worked with your IT Team at Simon & Schuster. I was in the International division and your office was around the corner from mine. You would stop by periodically and we would talk about lots of things, but your eyes always lit when talking about your children and most especially your sons birthday. I learned a lot from our brief hallway conversations, learned what an incredibly giving, loving and intelligent person you were. You always took the time to talk with me, encouraged me to achieve more, and for those times, I have and always will appreciate you. And I am so sorry that you are gone. My deepest sympathy and heart goes out to your family. May peace be with you and your family always.
Bruce Hanson
September 11, 2002
Michael:
Thanks for the years of friendship we've had. You were a fantastic leader, an inspiring mentor and a very, very good friend. Many of the "old Micro Modelers" were touched by your love of life and boundless energy and enthusiasm.
Your spirit has not left us, never will. We who knew and admired you will keep you in our thoughts and prayers, and will be there to care for Rekha, Sarita and Jonathan, just as you'd be there for our families.
We miss you, Michael. Thank you for caring about us, and sharing yourself with us.
Love,
Bruce
Arianna Garcia
September 10, 2002
Dear Michael,
All I know about you is the brief story they give of you and I consider you and everyone else who lost their lives on September 11th, a hero to me, beginning today 9/9 through 9/20 at my high school St. Pius X High School all the students, faculty, and staff are wearing wrists bands with the names of victims on them with their age. I picked you name out of the basket and now where your name on my wrist but even after 9/20 I will continue to wear it. On the 11th I will also be fasting along with 11 other people from school. Also at school we are BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS TOWARDS A CULTURE OF PEACE. I believe that one day this can be achieved if we all just come together and work towards this goal. I would also like to extend all my love and blessings to your family. Well this is it for now. I will check on you regulary to see if anything else is said about you to learn more about you the man on my wrist Mr. Michael Benjamin Packer, 45.
God Bless you and your family
Gretl Hauenstein
September 2, 2002
I was very upset to hear of Michael's passing in the September 11th tragedy. Although I did not know him well, I remember seeing him walking down to the train each morning when I lived up the street in 1998-99. Your family had been through so much even before this tragedy. Always remember the good times that you had together. You are often in my thoughts.
Carl Fsadni
August 30, 2002
It was a great experience to have worked with you at Bankers Trust. You taught us a lot and we will miss you tremendously! God Bless you !
Steve Conmy
May 27, 2002
Mike Packer was one of the smartest people I have ever met and the smartest person I have ever worked with. Thanks Mike.
Angie Campbell
May 8, 2002
May God bless you and keep you always. May you rest in peace..........
March 21, 2002
DEAR GOD SHINE YOUR LIGHT ON THIS WONDERFUL MAN...MICHAEL BENJAMIN PACKER AND MAY HIS SOUL REST IN PEACE WITH GOD AND HIS ANGELS..GOD BLESS HIS WIFE AND FAMILY...AND MANY FRIENDS..STAY CLOSE AND NEVER FORGET 9/11/01..GOD BLESS AMERICA AND NEW YORK..MAY JESUS AND ST.MICHAEL GREET YOU AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN...AMEN
Lisa Miller
March 12, 2002
Mrs. Packer,
I worked at Simon & Schuster at the same time Michael did and enjoyed working for him. I think about you and your children often.
Lisa
Lisa Russo
March 11, 2002
Michael: I am truly honored to have had the opportunity to work with you on the E-Commerce project at Merrill Lynch. Thank you for your kindness... You will be missed...
Peter Cochrane
February 18, 2002
Michael,
On 9/11/01 I emailed you with an "are you OK" message. I never received a reply. Fearing the worst and hoping for the best I held my breath. Well, I was notified of the worst just two weeks ago and have since been contemplating my message and words below.
Although I worked with and for you in my role as a consultant, I always thought of you as a friend. You were always kind, good humored and considerate, enthusiastic and receptive. In my view, you were always a force for good, and an agent of positive change.
It goes without saying that you will be greatly missed by your family, friends, colleagues, company and country. We just lost a vital and capable human being who contributed much and gave everything to all those around him.
To your wife and family I extend my personal heartfelt condolences and those of my family and colleagues in the UK and USA. We can only imagine the intimate sense of loss they must feel, but it might help to know that we remember too, and our thoughts and prayers go with you all.
Michael, we are all going to miss you.
Prof Peter Cochrane
Co-Founder ConceptLabs CA
Ex CT BT Laboratories UK
Mark Richards
January 22, 2002
Dear Michael:
I first met you on Wall Street at Bankers Trust - the man that I saw was quick-witted, smart and always asking questions. I enjoyed working with you then as well as following you to Simon & Schuster. Your presence added clarity in all things that you touched. I value the time that we spent together and hope that you have reached a beautiful place.
Warm Regards,
Mark J. Richards
Tony Paldino
January 15, 2002
Michael,
Your wisdom, insight, leadership, friendship and ability to make people better than they are is greatly missed. It was an honor to have worked for you since 1995. Life will change - Life has changed.
Joan Widdifield
December 30, 2001
Dear Mrs. Packer,
I recently found out from our mutual friends Pierre and Nancy that Michael died in the September 11 tragedy. He was a colleague of my late husband Mark Johnson who died suddenly at age 38 almost four years ago. Mark and Michael were hired at around the same time at the MAC Group and then were promoted at the same time. I remember hearing that Michael was an incredibly talented consultant. I heard his name many times over the years.
I send my warmest wishes for peace to you and your two children. It is a long and challenging road to have such a great loss which my 10 year-old daughter and I continue to navigate each day. Please feel free to contact me if you want to talk.
Warmly,
Joan Widdifield
Teresa Jahn
December 16, 2001
May Michael's enthusiasm for science projects, life and love continue on through his children. We are very sorry for your loss of Michael. Our hearts cry with you.
America Cries
We see your sorrow-
and our hearts cry....
We can not erase your pain
but you do not have to face the anguish alone-for we-
-the American people-
are beside you.
We so desperately want to have the touch that brings you comfort,
the strength that gives you courage,
and the words to lighten your spirits.
And when we are left speechless
may the silence of our nation weave love into your hearts
to ease your sorrow.
May you find healing through our nation's strength as we-
-the American people-
face this difficult time together. Our hearts are with you. Teresa Jahn
Dixon, IL
Don O'Hagan
December 5, 2001
I know your still around looking over the stuff I'm doing here Michael. Thanks for teaching me how to deal............. Don O'Hagan
Showing 1 - 48 of 48 results
Make a Donation
in Michael Packer's name
How to support Michael's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Michael Packer's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored