Selden, New York
A Hard-Working Man
The annals of workaholism will hold a special place for Michael C. Opperman. It is one thing to leave the house at 3 a.m., as Mr. Opperman, a senior vice president at Aon Insurance, routinely did, so that he could get a head start on his own work before people started coming to him for help.
It is another thing to try to keep working after a jet hits the building across the plaza. Around 9 a.m. on Sept. 11, when a colleague said urgently, "I'm going now, Mike, are you coming?" Michael Opperman replied, "O.K. I've just got a few loose ends to tie up here."
Deborah Opperman said that her husband, 45, who grew up the son of a truck driver in the Bronx and who never got further than his associate's degree in college, was driven by a fear that his accomplishments in life could be taken away.
"I think he always had in the back of his head that he could lose it," she said from their home in Selden on Long Island. "He'd say, `My God, Debbie, there are so many people out there that are so educated.'"
Mr. Opperman left an 18-year-old son and a 12-year-old daughter. His son, Mike Jr., had just started school at Wagner College in Staten Island. "They're good kids, thank God for that," Ms. Opperman said. "Except I sort of see my husband's drive in my son. That sort of frightens me."
Hi, Mike, think of you often and how hard you worked to satisfy clients. You did not have the word "No" in your vocabulary, nor the word "can't"; it was always "could". Miss you greatly and know we'll be reunited some day.
Leonard Resto
September 09, 2023 | Chatham, NJ
Mike was a co-worker at Alexander & Alexander. When I was pregnant with my first, we had an office pool to guess the sex, date & weight. I laughed at Mike´s guess. Girl, Feb 3rd (2 weeks early) and 8 lbs. no way! Only thing he missed was she was 8lbs 3 oz! He won $100!!! What a guy. 20 years...hard to believe. Rest In Peace, Mike.
Sue Galati
September 11, 2021 | Work
Remembering Mike on this 19th anniversary. He was a great partner to our WTC finance team. Always first in the office to get the day going!
Aon Finance
September 11, 2020 | Coworker
Thoughts and prayers for Michael and his family.
Aon FInance
September 11, 2019 | NY | Coworker
I never knew him but being a fellow Opperman I know that somehow we are connected. God Bless your family.
THE BAILEY INC
March 27, 2019 | CHATTANOOGA, TN
Time passes, but our Aon friends and family are not forgotten.
Kathy M
September 13, 2016
Out thoughts and prayers are with Deborah and her family. We were lucky to have Mike as a neighbor and our daughter's basketball coach. We will always hold onto our memories of Mike
Linda & Bob Strong
September 10, 2016 | Selden, NY
In Memory with
Honor & Respect.
S.J. Friscia III
August 30, 2016 | Staten Island, NY
In Memory
With Honor & Respect.
S J. Friscia III
January 14, 2016 | Staten Island, NY