9/11 Stories: Barry Bloom

Every time he hears Van Halen on the radio, Barry Bloom thinks of his close friend, Gino Calvi, who was killed at The World Trade Center September 11th.. As he fondly remembers, “Gino was a huge Van Halen fan. Any time a Van Halen song came on the radio, Gino would say, ‘It’s Van Halen.Just listen to the music’ “, and there’d be no more talking.
They first met in college, at the State University of New York at Buffalo. Gino quickly bonded with Barry and his 2 childhood friends, who grew up together as a tight-knit group since kindergarten. The four were so tight that after graduating from college, they all moved to East Rutherford, New Jersey, to stay physically close. Gino was the first to marry. He met his future bride at SUNY.
The last time Barry saw his friend was just two days before he died, when Barry had his trio of pals over for a barbecue. How could anyone have known that would be the last time they’d see Gino?
On the morning of September 11th, Gino was on the job working as a bond trader at One World Trade Center, one of 658 Cantor Fitzgerald employees to die that day. Cantor Fitzgerald lost more that unforgettable day than any other company. Their offices were on the 101st- 105th floors, two to six floors above where the passenger plane hit, and for a few days, no one knew if Gino was alive. They could only hope and pray. Barry says his neighbor across the street made it out alive, but the neighbor behind him did not.
There was no discovery of any of Gino’s remains for some time. Ultimately, the family was able to bury what little had been recovered. Gino Calvi was just 34.
“It was gruesome. The guy next to me fainted because blood was shooting out of my boot about six feet into the air, like a lawn sprinkler”.
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[@hb8162]

I have this yearning to know every person’s 9/11 story... they are all important to me. Thank you so much for sharing your friend Gino with me. I am truly sorry that you lost him. I think I will adopt his “quality pays” phrase. It is very true. And whenever I do, I will remember your great friend Gino.....

[@Brookie8100]

I feel the exact same way! Have you subscribed to the 9/11 tribute museum? It has wonderful stories 💙❤️

[@hb8162]

@@Brookie8100 Yes! I really like it!

[@RUfor80six]

crazy how everyone there or not has a unique story about what happened...

[@kathleenwindsor5679]

That is really wonderful. It took me 20 years to start listening and reading the survivor accounts of what happened that day. I knew alot from friends that were firemen and coos who were there, and from family of victims. I remember that day clearly. I remember how afraid I was because of the smoke and the smell. God bless all the souls that were lost and the people that ran in. ❤️

[@brandymahoney9452]

I didn’t know how much I needed these stories until the 20th Anniversary approach and one story came up on my youtube suggestions. Every story matters, it ensures us that lived through it to NEVER FORGET, and paints the devistating tragedy for generations to come.

[@CSarge]

Having these stories documented is so important. I hope our young people listen as they have forgotten or were too young during 9/11. Many of them don’t want to hear the stories. They are the protected generation, and cannot deal with controversy or anything difficult. These stories are wonderful acts of human kindness and love.

[@davidmudry5622]

God Bless USA heroes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnuzpoqvbtqnqdU

[@mrsjobo6458]

I also listened to Geno’s brother tell his story about him. What love for this man.

[@michelejeican830]

It's so important to retell these personal stories and histories. I have appreciated watching them!

[@davidmudry5622]

God Bless USA heroes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnuzpoqvbtqnqdU

[@favouritemoon4133]

I love Barry remembering things Gino used to say, and that he took the time to tell us those things. That's quality, and quality pays.

[@linrogers4326]

A lovely tribute to your friend. So sorry for your loss. I am British and had lunch in the windows of the world in the eighties. When it happened I could picture that restaurant. I just watched tv all day, along with the whole world. By the way on a recent visit to the USA I bought the shirt you are wearing for my husband. God bless.

[@taffycat5049]

What a great speaker Barry is! He made me a part of the story just as soon as he said we all have our own yardstick to measure what is normal to us. Yes, indeed. Listening to Gino's love of Van Halen humanized him for me. But the list of Gino-isms was the best! Words to live by. Grateful I stumbled upon this great video. 💗💗💗 Quality pays. It doesn't cost. 👍🏼

[@Sushi2735]

What a kind decent man you are with such depth and ability to express yourself so well. Geneo was blessed to have you in his short life!

[@jennifercorley7658]

Thank you for sharing your lifelong friendship with Gino! I too watched the video from his brother. He was a lucky man to have such great friends and family. I’m so heartbroken for all the Cantor staff! 🕊

[@josephbowles4995]

He’s right people need to hear the stories people need to know and hear that these are real people not just numbers not just it was 3000 whatever people these were people who have families who have friends who had a life and everyone needs to know that on a daily basis

[@davidmudry5622]

God Bless USA heroes kzbin.info/www/bejne/gnuzpoqvbtqnqdU

[@stephaniewirth505]

Orange and Blue are we ...One of Us ...I loved your love for your friend ...as we all aspire to be remembered as you so beautifly told this ...God Bless Gino ....

[@soniagreen2315]

Touching tribute to his friend Gino. 🙏

[@lindadunn6813]

What a lovely and decent man he is.

[@kaystockton5375]

Thank you so much for telling Gino's story! God Bless

[@KennethD000]

I do hope you’ll let us know when you find the printing press! 💙

[@michaelhall1616]

I’ve seen about 5 of the videos so far of the 9/11 stories playlist & this video at 8:01 is the first time I got choked up a bit 💔

[@donkeydan5996]

I almost went to Bayside High school , grew up near there

[@dianam.agudelo3066]

😭😭

[@margiehenson2440]

That'S HOW I FEE. HB. THESE. STOR'YS. MEAN. SO. MUCH. TO. ME.....I PERSONALLEY. IT TOOK ME. TWENTY YEARS. TO UNDERSTAND. WHAT COULD. HAPPEN. TO ALL OF US. AMERICANS.....SO 😔....BUT YOU. NEW. YORKER'S.....YOU. ARE MY. HERO'S....THANK YOU ALL...SO VERY. MUCH..

[@theathenachannel88]

Thank you for posting --i have to mute your entro---way too celebratory vibe of a blockbuster when these are funeral vidoes.

[@maggiethecat1538]

The description is very misleading. It talks about it "being very gruesome and blood shooting out of his leg. " That was never mentioned and is not part of this story. What is up with that??

[@heatherydew3361]

That's a quote from Jim Feal's (Jim or John, can't remember) 9/11 story (he had 1000s pounds of steel fall and crush his foot whilst on the pile going through the rubble). I think it's accidentally been copied onto the end of the description.

[@maggiethecat1538]

@@heatherydew3361 makes sense. That was confusing. Thankyou for the explanation.

[@marynagy8072]

@@heatherydew3361 correct. (I wonder) is there a way to notify Shellie Sonstein, and Barash & McGarry, so they can have the correction made? Others will wonder too.

[@danny8292]

Half of these stories are people who watched from afar or had a friend ghat was there. Its just boomers rambling......

[@floralevario5084]

​@@danny8292Wow you are insensitive and rude. Have you ever experienced trauma and death of a loved one?

[@firemarshal17]

Great story; but your video production quality is terrible. Please find someone who knows how to shoot with green screen!

[@chazdavis1644]

I’m pretty sure it’s just Zoom with a Zoom background. That’s why it looks bad

[@kevinivers]

Who cares? Seriously. People don’t have to use the comments section of KZbin to blurt out whatever comes into their heads. How about just listen to his story and reflect and leave it at that?

[@fionarobins4958]

It blows my mind that u just said that,is it really the time 2 criticise the man's lack of production skills!!!,he's using "zoom" 2 tell an important story,not giving a presentation on production...💜

[@yuppyhater]

So let me get this straight in my head, you're complaining about the camera using a green sceen instead of showing any sort of remorse to those who perished that day? What the fuck is wrong with you?! Take a good hard look at yourself and realize you are part of the problem in this world!