By Nicole Falco
Raul Perez, 34, a building superintendent, was found at the bottom of a shaft in the Lafayette Street building where he worked by an elevator mechanic, who had been called to the eight-story commercial building, according to New York City police. He was pronounced dead at the scene. It is unclear why Perez fell or from what floor.
Perez's daughter, Erica Mendez, 16, a junior at South High School, said that the family, which includes Perez's wife, Sandra, and younger daughter, Ciarra, 4, a kindergartner at the William L. Buck School, moved to Valley Stream about three years ago, and that her father had been getting used to life on Long Island after living in Brooklyn and Queens most of his life. He was born in Puerto Rico.
"He took pride in everything he did," Erica said. "This house, he took care of it for us. Everything he did was for us."
Erica said that her father, a Navy veteran, always had to keep busy. "He wouldn't leave anything undone," she said. "If he saw something that needed fixing, he'd do it right away. If he wasn't mowing the lawn, he'd be watering the backyard."
Perez was the same way at work, his daughter said. Erica said her father had worked at the same building for more than 10 years and he loved it - it was like his second home.
When he wasn't working or taking care of his house, Perez enjoyed regular get-togethers with his friends, who were more like family. Perez, who was passionate about music, owned DJ equipment and would often show off his skills as a DJ at the gatherings. He loved all types of music, from rap to rock and oldies. Erica said her father also loved to dance. She remembered how he danced with her and her friends at her recent Sweet 16 party. "He was young," she said. "He was only 34."
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