David Walter Carrasquillo Follows In His Father’s Footsteps
The staff camaraderie at 425 East 86th Street reminds the Porter of the Year of his time serving in the army.
He’s his father’s son.
“My father was a superintendent and union worker for 44 years,” said David Walter Carrasquillo, porter at 425 East 86th Street, a 16-story co-op that opened as a hotel in 1929.
“That’s how he provided for my mom and his six children,” Carrasquillo added. “I saw the environment and the benefits, not only financially, but the job.”
After almost six years in the U.S. Army where he served in both Iraq and Afghanistan, Carrasquillo began looking for a building job in the area he knew all too well: “I’m a Yorkville kid.” In fact, he grew up right across the street from his current place of employment. Twelve years ago he heard about the job by word of mouth and was hired.
Carrasquillo said the best part of his job is helping people. “I really like the feeling of seeing somebody happy because I’ve done something that makes their life easier, better, or just makes a difference in general.” This includes using his well-known cooking skills. “A tenant who’s a surgeon was given a cooler of lobsters for saving someone’s life, but his wife didn’t know how to cook them so she asked me to do it.” And, of course, he obliged.
He also enjoys the staff camaraderie. “With the guys, it’s not just about coming to work. It’s kind of like being in the army in that we can joke around while we get stuff done. Even if something’s tough, we come together, so nothing’s impossible.” This brotherhood was particularly helpful during the pandemic when he and his colleagues kept the building up and running, as the maintenance specialist says, “100 percent. Here every day. 12-hour shifts. We didn’t miss a beat.”
In his free time, “I’m at home and I enjoy the time with my family immensely.” Carrasquillo is husband to Enid, his wife of 14 years, and father to their three children ages 12, 9, and 3. It’s no surprise the New York Yankees fan likes to play sports with his kids, as well as swim in the pool, when not mowing the lawn or chopping wood at the family’s upstate home. He said that Enid and the kids are ecstatic about the recognition and see him as an example of how hard work pays off.
The honor is yet another on a long list for which Carrasquillo has gratitude. “I’m thankful for my coworkers, my boss, and shareholders for giving me an opportunity to provide for my family, and just thankful for life in general, to be able to wake up every morning and have a smile on my face.”