Sanworker Who Died in Mishap Is Remembered

By REUVEN BLAU

Friends and family members gathered Dec. 15 to pay their last respects to Sanitation Worker Rafael Concepcion, who died Dec. 9 when he was thrown from the cab of his truck after his partner lost control while rounding a corner.

RAFAEL CONCEPCION

Mr. Concepcion, 36, was remembered as a dedicated father of two young daughters and a hard worker. "His dreams were so big, his drive to support his family so strong, that in recent years he held two demanding jobs," Mayor Bloomberg told those gathered in the Ortiz Funeral Home in The Bronx. "As soon as he finished his overnight shift at the Sanitation Department, he'd race over to the Fordham Toyota dealership, where he worked as a porter."

Mr. Concepcion, the father of daughters Kateleen, 7, and Brianna, 1, joined the department on Sept. 12, 2005. He suffered fatal internal injures as a result of the accident, which occurred on the corner of 188th St. and Washington Ave. in The Bronx at about 2:45 a.m. He died on the operating table at St. Barnabas Hospital.

A decade ago, Mr. Concepcion met his partner, Evelyn Curet, while working as a super at her mother's building. "I understand Rafael used to tease Evelyn's mother that one day Evelyn would be the mother of his child," Mr. Bloomberg said. "After the very first time they met, she didn't believe it."

The Mayor continued, "Of course, in the end it turned out Rafael was right - twice. And he enjoyed reminding them both about this all the time."

Enthusiastic Biker

Mr. Concepcion, the youngest of eight children, also enjoyed riding his motorcycle, his friends recalled. "He used to take Evelyn on the back of his bike and ride out to City Island - as far as the road would go - just to feel the wind," Mr. Bloomberg said.

As a Sanitation Worker, Mr. Concepcion was "disciplined, dedicated, and deeply proud of the uniform," Mr. Bloomberg commented. "He might not have been the biggest guy in the world, but pound-for-pound, he could outwork anyone in the department."

As a "quiet soldier," he often lifted four to five hundred litter baskets a day, Mr. Bloomberg continued. "In fact, he was the type of guy who'd stick his foot inside every basket and kick out any garbage stuck inside."