Kevin Joyce spoke about the generosity Jeffery Chanin, 51, of Pearl River, who was killed when a tree fell on his home Monday during Hurricane Sandy.
"He was always one of the first people to say, 'what can I do to help?'" Joyce said.
Now many in Pearl River are asking the same question to Chanin's family. His wife, Lise Chanin, and daughter Danielle were both still in Nyack Hospital Thursday.
"The girls' friends' parents set up a schedule, so that neither Danielle nor Lise are alone in the hospital," said Maureen McEnroe, who like Kevin Joyce, worked Jeffery Chanin at Prudential Joyce Realty in Pearl River. "We're all taking shifts. They are expected to make a full recovery."
"You've got a community really pulling for this family." Joyce said. "He was the salt of the Earth. Nothing bad to say about anybody. Classy guy and a family man."
McEnroe passed along the following statement on behalf of the Chanin family Thursday evening.
The Chanin Family would like to thank the Pearl River Community for their support and generosity during this difficult time. Lise and Danielle are expected to make a slow but complete recovery. Please keep them in your hearts and prayers. The Chanins are heartened by the outpouring of love and donations offered.
Those wishing to make donations to aid the family can send them to The Chanin Family Fund at PO Box 739, Pearl River, NY 10965.
The agents at Prudential Joyce helped the family find a place to move into. They settled on one Thursday. Joyce said that Jeff Chanin, a retired sergeant in the NYPD, worked with Prudential Joyce for 16 years.
Munno's Deli in Pearl River has been accepting donations for the family and providing meals for them.
"It's an absolute tragedy," Joyce said. "We have people calling left and right. We have a Tuesday sales meeting (next week to discuss) what the company is going to do as an entity to help the Chanin family."
That includes Lise Chanin and four children. Oldest son Eric is a volunteer fire fighter in Pearl River who was at the firehouse when the call came in about his home, but he was held back from going to the scene.
Joyce said that younger Tim had been sitting next to his father shortly before the tree fell onto their home, but his father sent him out for fire wood. Chanin's other daughter, Chloe, was also injured, but has been released from the hospital.
McEnroe said funeral arrangements will likely be made Thursday evening.
The Chanin Family Fund PO Box 739 Pearl River, New York 10965