Mr. Yang, a native of Fuzhou in eastern China, was the breadwinner of his family, she said. “He works so long hours to provide for his children and live a successful life here so that his children can grow up and be who they want to be. And now his family is just ruined because it was taken away from them.
Sui Chung, a longtime colleague, said in a telephone interview that Mr Yang worked seven days a week to support his wife and three children, aged 2 to 15. When business is slow, she said, he will help his wife, who works at a nearby laundromat.
Councilor Julie Won, a Korean American, said Mr Yang’s death symbolized the dangers facing suppliers, many of whom were Americans of Asian descent. They have been the target of violent attacks during the coronavirus pandemic and have also been thwarted by public safety and labor systems, which put their lives at risk while trying to make a living, she said.
The Great Wall was closed on Sunday, but more than a dozen customers gathered outside to share stories about Mr. Yang. Nearly a dozen bouquets were arranged in front of the restaurant in the afternoon, and some people left notes to his family on greeting cards.
Among those who came to pay their respects was Andres Villa, 45, a foreman in a Forest Hills building. He remembered Mr. Ian as a hard worker with cheerful demeanor.
“He was always running around, no matter what time we had,” Mr Villa said. “Rain and snow, he always worked. He always shouted at everyone, “Hello, my friend!”
Mr Villa said he once saw a driver crash into Mr Yang’s car, which was full of delivery orders. Mr. Ian was not angry, he said. “He just said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back,’ and went to deliver the food,” Mr Villa said.
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