Peter A. Chirchirillo

Anonymous (not verified)

February 21, 2020

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I am overdue in sending this message. Last week my family and spent a few vacation days in NYC. I live in York, Maine and have 2 children ages 10 and 12. We made a point to visit "Ground Zero" and I remembered Peter. I did not have the privilege to meet him but I spoke with him on the phone often during a project that my company was doing for his company. (At the time the company I worked for was based out of Exeter New Hampshire.) I believe he worked for GMAC Mortgage at the time but I could be mistaken. Anyway years have passed and whenever September 11 is mentioned I always think of him. He was the nicest customer that I ever worked with and now that I have learned more about him via the internet what I learned about him from our phone conversations was very accurate. As I said I never got to meet him but just his cheerfulness and attitude throughout our project over 10 years ago has stuck with me. I'm sure many others who had any dealings with him feel the same way. Just had to send you a short note. Rich Johnston York, Maine

Posted by Rich Johnston

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Age:
47
Place of Residence:
Langhorne, PA
Location on 9/11:
One WTC
Peter A. Chirchirillo
Occupation:
Marsh & McLennan | Project Manager
Dedicated Memorial Sites:
Garden of Reflection
Marsh & McLennan September 11th Memorial
Queen Elizabeth II September 11 Memorial Garden
Conseleya 9/11 Memorial
Dewitt 9/11 Memorial
Montclair State University 9/11 Memorial
East Newark 9/11 Memorial
Fair Haven 9/11 Memorial
Freehold Township 9/11 Living Memorial Tree Grove
Crescent Beach Park - Flagpole/Memorial for 9/11 Victims
Personal Memorial Website:
http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/people/3956.html
Reflections:
The New York Times Portraits of Grief

Marsh Memorial Dedication

Education:
Brooklyn College
Nazareth Regional High School
Hobbies and Special Interests:
fixing things
baseball
Biography:

Peter and Clara met when they were 20 and 16 years old (respectively). The first gift that Peter gave Clara was a stuffed monkey. “He loved monkeys,” said Clara. “This guy (the monkey) got me through everything (the loss of Peter).” Five years later, Peter and Clara decided to get married. Clara said that it was one of the best days of their life. Peter requested the Master of Ceremonies to extend the party an extra hour. His request was granted.

Clara described her husband as a jokester and yet he had a very serious side. He was her teddy bear, her strength and her best friend. He pushed her to do things, such as finishing her college degree in Special Education. All the children in the family loved Peter. He had three Godchildren (one Godson and two Goddaughters) and two sons of his own, Michael and Nicholas. He was very involved in his sons’ lives, from religious milestones and rituals to academia. He also participated in Boy Scouts and “did everything they asked him to do except wear a uniform,” Clara said. One particular joke in scouting was a latrine cake he and his son designed for a contest because someone was having problems with the latrine during one of their many camping trips. He and the boys also enjoyed doing projects together, such as building a garage and planting a vegetable garden. Peter always preferred working with his hands instead of working at a desk.

One of many of Peter’s favorite things was his Camaro. He called it, “The Baby.” Clara stated that he carried a picture of “The Baby” in his wallet, which was placed before his wedding picture and a photo of his sons. His other love was having a good time. The Chirchirillo's attended themed New Years Parties, where everyone dressed up. One year it was a luau theme and he dressed up as a hoola girl, complete with leis, a long-haired wig, and a hoola dress. Peter was not a man who enjoyed fancy things. At one party, the theme was Ritz and glamour. Instead of dressing up in a tux and tie, he dressed up as the Chauffer.

Peter Chirchirillo was a man loved by many people. “He wasn’t supposed to be there (the WTC)” said Clara, tearfully. He worked in lower Manhattan however, “Because he didn’t want to travel up-town for a meeting that day, which would take him longer in travel time, he went to his office to do a conference call instead.”