Alan-Feinberg-Obituary

Alan D. Feinberg

New York, New York

About

LOCATION
New York, New York

Obituary

Send Flowers

Mr. Mom's Fire Truck

When Wendy Feinberg recalls meeting Alan D. Feinberg 21 years ago, she remembers not only the man, but also his car — a sharp Datsun 240-Z. From that encounter in the parking lot of a Sheepshead Bay diner came marriage, children and a life for Mr. Feinberg as both a firefighter and a Mr. Mom.

Unbeknownst to his wife, Alan Feinberg, who worked at the time as a salesman of buttons and boys' clothes in the garment district, secretly wanted to be a firefighter. Four years into the marriage, that is what he became. To compensate for a cut in salary, Mr. Feinberg took advantage of the flexible hours of firefighting to remain home with Tara, now 18, and Michael, 15, while Wendy took the 6:05 a.m. into the city to work as a broker at Cantor Fitzgerald, a job she left in 1996.

His children remember Firefighter Feinberg, 48, making breakfast, putting them on the school bus and being the "class dad" who chaperoned school field trips and coached baseball and soccer. As his children got older, Firefighter Feinberg, who was the battalion chief aide at Engine Company 54 in Manhattan, took on a second job that built on his love of fancy cars: he became a transporter of new cars to the automotive press, which would then write about them. Just recently, he was thrilled to have dropped off a PT Cruiser and a red 2002 Corvette. "He would have loved that new Thunderbird if he had seen it," his wife said. "He was doing what he wanted to do," she added. "He was very happy. Everyone should have had such a happy life. He was the little boy who never grew up."

Profile published in THE NEW YORK TIMES on December 22, 2001.


Alan Feinberg, 48, loved helping others

Alan Feinberg's penchant for helping came naturally, if not effortlessly.

A firefighter for 19 years, Mr. Feinberg's helping hand was not limited to his work but was extended to anyone in need, from passers-by at his Midtown Manhattan firehouse to youngsters at his children's games.

"He was an excellent firefighter, but one of the things that distinguished Al is his enthusiasm, his endless energy," said George Maier, a chief at Battalion 9 who worked with Mr. Feinberg for the past five years. "Whether it was somebody looking for directions, locked out of their car, or just asking for the time, Al could not do enough to help anybody with any type of problem."

So when terrorists struck the World Trade Center, Mr. Feinberg did not hesitate to race to the scene. He, along with 14 others from his firehouse, hasn't been seen since. Maier said 32 men from the battalion remain missing and are presumed dead.

A memorial service for Mr. Feinberg, 48, will be held at 8:15 p.m. today at Marlboro Jewish Center at Schoolhouse and Wyncrest roads in Marlboro. The family will receive friends from 7:15 p.m. until the time of the service.

Born in Brooklyn, Mr. Feinberg moved to Marlboro 16 years ago. He was an assistant battalion chief, responsible for most of the administrative duties concerning the five fire companies that make up Battalion 9.

As much as he was devoted to his firefighting duties, Maier said his colleague was equally enthusiastic about his time with his children. "He was a proud father, and believe me, we heard it after each game."

That pride was not lost with his daughter, Tara, who at age 17 wrote a moving essay about her father as a hero for an application to the University of Florida in Gainesville, which she now attends.

"My father has taught me the true meaning of a hero," wrote Tara, now 18. "It amazes me how someone can have such an unyielding desire to help others, even when there is a constant risk of the danger involved. Even when my father is not fighting fires, he is altruistic in other ways. If there is an accident on the road, he will always stop to administer first aid and call the police. My father is the first one to run onto the field at a soccer game to make sure the player is not seriously hurt."

As much as she was proud of her dad's work, she also said she realized his job was a dangerous one, and knew one day he might not come home.

In addition to his daughter, Mr. Feinberg is survived by his wife of 23 years, Wendy; a son, Michael; his parents, Harold and Sylvia Feinberg of Brooklyn; and a sister, Ilene Kustin of Brooklyn.

In lieu for flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alan Feinberg Family Fund, P.O. Box 883, Manalapan, N.J. 07726.

Guest Book

Not sure what to say?

Thank you for all your dedication and service, Alan. Happy heavenly birthday, you are never forgotten.

Ran in the Tunnel to Towers 5k, San Angelo, Texas for the Stephen Siller Foundation, and donned a name tag in Alan´s remembrance. It had his fire company picture on it, big smile, scruffy hair. Apparently he is 1 of 3 Jewish firefighters that gave their lives that day. I was honored to wear his badge. Another honor to be the 50th entry on this page...the previous 49 have affected me more than words can say. Man´s days are like grass. I pray I can live in the service of others just as Alan did.

Remembering Alan on the 20th anniversary of 9/11...

Today I completed the, Step Up for Heroes Climb, in Sioux Falls, SD. bearing a badge with Battalion Chief Alan D. Feinberg's name. NEVER FORGET!!

I just went to visit Alan's spot at the 911 memorial. Al and I worked for ESI, delivering cars to the press. We would drive together for hours and Al would keep me entertained all the way.

Once an elderly couple had crashed a Corvette at an event we were working. I don't know how he did it, but he got to the crash scene before anyone else and comforted and soothed the couple. Everyone I knew loved "Fireman Al". He was one of those people you never forget. I always imagine him...

My deepest sympathies to the family of Alan D. Feinberg, a true American hero. I never met Mr. Feinberg, and I don't know any members of his family, but that doesn't make him any less of a hero to me. I will keep his family in my prayers always. I will never forget the sacrifices made by this brave man, and ultimately, his family. God bless all of you, and may his memory be eternal!

You and your family are in my prayers.

To Alan and all those who sat with me on the benches between the two buildings in the twilight of our childhood as we waited "to fly",
Together our group of teens
travelled to Middle School on bus and train into Coney Island,
Walked daily to Lafayette,
Took buses to bowl on weekends,
Trains to ice skate in Prospect Park,
and joyfully travelled to those Murray the K shows in downtown Brooklyn.
Alan, your dimples and silliness made us laugh and relax as we...

I knew Alan from Harway. Mid 1960's to mid 1970's. His crew was Mark Mankess, Mark Adler and Bob Applebaum. I was younger than him but he played ball with us a lot. He was exciting to be around. Almost electrifying. A very good person. I pray that his family finds some measure of comfort in knowing that he made the ultimate sacrifice while saving the lives of others. I pray he is in a better place enjoying the peace he so very deserves.