Jimmy Figoski (left) accepts a check for $5,000 from Howard at Seapod Group in memory of his brother, slain Police Officer Pete Figoski. He was joined for the presentation by PBA President Patrick Lynch (far left), event organizer John Giangrasso, his brother Bob Figoski, and Lindenwood Diner owner Nick Tsakonas. Forum Newsgroup photo by Patricia Adams.
Hundreds of people crammed into the Lindenwood Diner on Monday night to attend a fundraiser for the four daughters of a fallen police officer, 47-year-old Pete Figoski.
A 22-year-veteran, he spent his entire career at the 75th precinct and was shot during a burglary in Brooklyn in December.
Since his death, more than $2 million has been raised in support of an education fund to benefit the four school-age daughters he leaves behind. Monies raised will go toward the further education of Christine, 19, a SUNY Oneonta undergraduate; Caitlyn, 18, a SUNY Plattsburgh undergrad; and Caroline and Corrine, 16 and 14, respectively, and both still in high school.
The crowd was comprised largely of fellow officers and PBA officials, along with elected officials, friends, family and local business owners.
“We take this personally,” said PBA Brooklyn North Financial Secretary John Giangrasso, one of the event organizers. “Very personally. The NYPD is a family and the 75th Precinct now has four daughters.” And according to Giangrasso it is the intention of the precinct to look after Pete Figoski’s four girls until they are all finished with school and have everything they need to secure their future. “They are the life of the 75th Precinct now and we will take care of them.”
Soliciting help for the evening was a breeze according to Giangrasso, “People just want to help, that’s the way it is.” Support was abundant and started right in the backyard of the precinct where Figoski served.
When the owners of the Lindenwood Diner found out about the fundraiser they offered a “home” for the event. Nick Tsakonas has been running the diner since 1979 with his partners Tommy Urena and uncle John Mavrikis, who first opened the popular local eatery back in 1968. “We have always had a strong relationship with our cops,” Tsakonas says of the nearby 75th Precinct, “These guys have done so much for us over the years, it is a privilege for us to do this. It’s the very least we can do.”
And the local contributions didn’t end there. Local artist Kenny Altiolor donated an oversized oil portrait he painted for the Figoski daughters, who will decide where it will hang best in remembrance of their father.
Bob and Jimmy Figoski were overwhelmed by the response to help their brother’s family. “From the very start of this, people have been right there,” said Bob. “But it’s wonderful to see that support is continuing.” Retired himself from the NYPD, Bob Figoski says his nieces are all back at school and are “adjusting.”
According to Jimmy, if his brother were in the room, “he’d be in a corner with his face to the wall. He never liked to be in the spotlight.” And though he might have avoided the proverbial spotlight, Pete Figoski obviously couldn’t avoid the love and attention of his fellow officers.
“I’ve never seen anything like this level of camaraderie in my life,” Jimmy said. “You wouldn’t know this type of thing even exists. This is awesome.” He said his brother never shared too much about what went on at work, was very low key and had nothing flashy about him. “How could you know someone was this loved?” he said. He couldn’t camouflage the single tear that followed. “We know now.”
While good deeds continued to flow from one end of the packed diner to the other, outside in the parking lot a group assembled to take a picture with the portrait of Pete Figoski, among them representatives from the Seapod Group, a local enterprise that owns several pawnshops within the confines of the 75th Precinct. The group came to offer their good will for the evening– a $5,000 check donated toward the evening’s proceeds.
Saul Meyerson, Seapod’s controller, says they wouldn’t have it any other way. “We always want to show our support to the police. For us this is simple. It’s just the right thing to do.”
By Patricia Adams
