By Lisa Kava
Joey Gomez had a lot of keys on his belt. He was a “freelance” handyman and superintendent for more than a dozen brownstones on West 94th Street, between Central Park West and Amsterdam Avenue. He performed the tasks of those trades: sorting and putting out the trash and recyclables, hosing down the sidewalk, shoveling snow, watering plants, making repairs, and much more.
“He was known simply as ‘Gomez,’” said Paul Moisselin, a resident of West 94th, who first brought Gomez to the Rag’s attention. “That’s how he introduced himself. Many residents never even knew his first name.” They also didn’t know that he was sick, or that chronic bronchial asthma had weakened his heart. On June 28th, Joey Gomez died, unexpectedly, at the age of 63.
“He managed his work efficiently and enthusiastically, never neglecting to extend a polite, cheerful greeting,” said Michael Grossman, president of the West 94th Street Park Block Association. “He had the most beautiful smile, coupled with an enthusiastic greeting. He was a reassuring presence on our block,” Patricia Beilman said.
Residents of West 94th Street describe Gomez as a special man and an important part of their daily routine. He was more than just a handyman to those who knew him. He helped make their lives easier in small ways. “He was aware of Department of Sanitation rules and wanted to make sure people didn’t get ticketed by putting trash out on the wrong day, so he’d move it,” Beth Wells remembers. “He was a humble, kind man.”
“We just came back from vacation and were looking forward to seeing him again on the block,” Moisselin recalled, in an email. “It was a shock to find out he passed away. He was the life of the block, always with a smile on his face, super kind to everyone. My kids (2 and 4) loved him. When we came outside, he always had a nice word. He was a good man and he is missed every day.”
Moisselin was also shocked to learn that Gomez had financial problems. He realized when Gomez’s brother, Ramon, and his sister-in-law, Clara, set up a GoFundMe account to raise the money to cover his funeral expenses. “He died without benefits or insurance and was behind in rent and energy bills,” Clara explained. The West 94th Street Block Association donated $1,000, and many residents made individual contributions, said Michael Grossman.
“His client relationships were very informal in nature, he was not on the payroll anywhere like a doorman would be,” Paul Moisselin added. “He was one of those characters that make living on the UWS so special.”
The GoFundMe has covered Joey Gomez’s funeral, but will still be active for awhile to help his wife with past rent and bills due.
“Hearing his daughters and siblings speak at his funeral made it clear how loved he was,” said Beth Wells, another resident of West 94th Street. Eleanor Seepes said, “One can feel lucky knowing someone like that.”
I believe he also gave out papers (AmNY I think) at 96 and CPW in the mornings, and helped out the guy in the coffee cart there on the corner as well. He was really connected within the community.
People like this are the fabric of a neighborhood.
I spent many mornings hanging and chatting with him while he worked so hard to keep our block together. I nicknamed him “Glue” as that was what he was to our little piece of NYC. He was proud of his title.
Things just aren’t the same on here on 94th. Street .
Miss you buddy.
rc
I am that Eleanor Seepes, really of West 95th Street. And I still look for him…every day. Beloved stories are written about rare humans such as Joey Gomez. I didn’t even know his name. I knew his smile, his concern, his sweet joking. I still look for him every day. His pride in work, his Hispanic traits, love for our kids and our pets. His worry that perhaps you were not feeling at your best. He would cross the street to give me a hug! We shared City Island stories and discovered we were both from the Bronx. Such small encounters as he went about his hundred-things-to-do. Gone now is one more light in our Upper West Side brilliance. Please, Joey, finally, rest. Your soul is alive and well and lives in our hearts.
I would like to thank the community for you loving support to our family in this time of need. We are sorry to have had to inform you of our personal financial issues but there is a lesson for everyone in my brothers passing. You never know how and who will bring joy into your life and how in an instant this can be taken away. Our brother never attended to his health and yet appeared youthful and healthy to his community. He always put others before himself always showing concern for the community he served. People like this are rare and we thank you for celebrating him. Knowing the effect he had on all of you has touched our hearts and will help us in our time of grief.
My condolences to Mr. Gomez family and friends as well as neighbors….one day last week, I realized that I did not see him crossing the street across from my building during the last week or so. It was a shock for me to learn that he made his transition. May he rest in eternal peace.