Skip to main content

Greta L. (not verified)

October 27, 2023

I recently read about your heroism evacuating people from The Marriott that horrible day. How you stayed till the bitter end and sacrificed your own life to help others. I am in awe of you Joe.

Thank you and God Bless.

Posted by Greta L.

Add new Guest Book entry

Restricted HTML

  • You can align images (data-align="center"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on.
  • You can caption images (data-caption="Text"), but also videos, blockquotes, and so on.
  • Each email address will be obfuscated in a human readable fashion or, if JavaScript is enabled, replaced with a spam resistent clickable link. Email addresses will get the default web form unless specified. If replacement text (a persons name) is required a webform is also required. Separate each part with the "|" pipe symbol. Replace spaces in names with "_".
 

Guestbook comments are held until moderator approval.

In addition to this Guestbook post, if you are a family or friend of this victim, we welcome you to contribute photographs, documents, or stories to this Living Memorial page. To do so, complete this submission form . Your content will be reviewed by our team, and a staff member will reach out to you at your convenience.

 
Age:
31
Place of Residence:
Park Ridge, NJ
Location on 9/11:
WTC
Occupation:
Marriott | Department Head
Hobbies and Special Interests:
riding motorcycles
snowboarding
freestyle BMX
Biography:

On that last Sunday, Joseph Keller, bona fide grown-up -- father, husband, homeowner in Park Ridge, N.J., and department head at the Marriott World Trade Center Hotel -- had what would be a final fling with his daredevil teenage self. He and two buddies from high school got together and dusted off their old bicycle freestyling stunts. Mr. Keller, 31, who had competed in the extreme sport, still had the chops to pull off a funky chicken. (Don't ask.)

"If you were looking for someone to egg you on," said his friend Prentice Chang, "Joe was like: 'Let's do it!' A lot of people followed his direction."

Some lucky ones did on Sept. 11. When his wife, Rose, called, urging him to flee, he told her he was helping with the evacuation. Later, when he phoned his boss, he sounded cool, but concerned about the two injured firefighters with whom he was trapped. "Joe was always reassuring, the one who made things O.K.," Mrs. Keller said. "You'd think you couldn't do something, but he made you believe you could. He made me think things were possible."