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He may not have had a true home when living, but a few Upper East Siders have ensured that one homeless man will rest in peace and community.
When Richard Coleman, better known as “Richie,” who lived along First Avenue in the 70s, passed away, the community held a memorial in honor of his friendship.
The memorial, though, wasn’t enough for Juanita Vega, who woke Richie up each morning for 11 years outside the bank where she worked. Ms. Vega paid $2,000 for his burial at the Rosemount Memorial Park Thursday, after she found out he was to be buried in the city’s public cemetery.
Richard Coleman was popular in the Upper East area where he spent his final days. According to DNAinfo New York, in May members of the community were able to raise about $1,500 in Coleman’s name to give to the National Alliance to End Homelessness.
The grave is currently unmarked, but the plot is deeded in Coleman’s name if anyone from his family decides to claim him, according to DNAinfo New York. “I know about Potter’s Field and I didn’t want him to end up there,” Vega said. “He was a nice person. He didn’t deserve that.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
