New York, New York
He Made a Mean Meatloaf
Cooking in the Marines is not what one might think of as the best preparation for an executive chef.
But for Benjamin Keefe Clark, being a leatherneck chef was his springboard to some classes at the Cordon Bleu cooking school and finally to Sodexho, a food services company that cooked for employees at Fiduciary Trust in 2 World Trade Center. Mr. Clark was famous for his soups and meatloaf.
Mr. Clark, 39, and known as Keefe, was last seen on the 88th floor helping a woman with three other men, according to his wife, La-Shawn. None of them survived. His son, Chaz, 17, saw the attack on the two towers from Stuyvesant High School, where he is a student.
Chaz, his three brothers and one sister would often get their parents to have a bake- off, always enjoying the results but only rarely declaring their mother the victor.
Mrs. Clark still dials Mr. Clark's office number, waiting to talk to him. They met on the subway platform at Penn Station; Mr. Clark offered to escort his future wife home late one night.
He called and sent flowers for months after, until he finally won her undivided attention. "We were so close that everybody said we looked like brother and sister," she said.
Another September 11th and it seems to some the memory of that day is fading, My thoughts of you, our friendship and time together never does. Forever in my heart.
Joseph Ianaconi
September 11, 2024 | Islip, NY | Friend
Wow. I never got to meet you. But my father had the honor of being your neighbor; and your friend. Since I have been a child, he has taught me so much about your legacy - and your kindness towards my parents when they were simply a small family trying their hardest to conceive a baby. I was born two years and two months after you had passed, on 11/11. I remember being a child and my father telling me stories about you and your beautiful family. As the anniversary begins to roll around and the...
Apollo Garcia
August 08, 2024
There's not a day that goes by that you don't come to mind. Not because of how you passed but mostly how you lived. We were in Dewey when we met and you went tom the Marines and I the Air Force. We served and were always there to help. Even on that faithful day you were helping. Love you my brother you are never forgotten.
Lorenzo Phillips
September 12, 2023 | BROOKLYN, NY | Classmate
Today once again there is pause to reflect on that horrible day. I also pause to remember the day, but each day I remember you, I remember our laughter, our friendship and the times we spent with each other. As the years go bye I still hold you in my heart. I now have grandchildren and they too will learn of my friend and how special he is still to me. Till we meet again
Joseph Ianaconi
September 11, 2023 | Islip, NY | Friend
The pain of that day will always be there and today I pause to remember Keefe's family. Prayers for you to feel the love of a whole nation that was moved to patriotism and love on that horrible day,. May we never forget. Much love from Texas.
Del Newberry
September 15, 2021 | Heartland, TX
On the first anniversary of 9/11 while watching the memorial, I randomly picked two names from the list being called out and wrote them in my Bible. For years I came here every year to show my respect as Keefe's name was one of the two written in my Bible. Over the last few years my own family has been struck with problems and issues and even though I didn't make it here to post I still kept Keefe's family in my heart. I was determined to be hear this year. You are not forgotten, I continue...
Melissa McDuffie
September 13, 2021 | Thomasville, AL
As we are both veterans of service my brotha the tradition of honoring our fallen is natural and special. Thank you for your service and your sacrifice for others. RIP Keefe, love you man!
Lorenzo Phillips
September 12, 2021 | Brooklyn, NY | Classmate
20 years my friend, and each day of each year you are with us all. Never Forgotten.
joseph ianaconi
September 11, 2021 | Islip, NY | Friend
Remembering Benjamin on the 20th anniversary of 9/11....
Cindy Roe
September 04, 2021
