Charles D’ambra, a popular waiter at Barosa Restaurant in Rego Park and a Middle Village resident, passed away suddenly this week. (Photo courtesy Facebook)
Support is pouring in on social media to the family of Charles D’Ambra and the staff of Barosa Restaurant, where the popular waiter worked, in wake of his sudden, tragic passing.
A friend passed along some information: “He went to Our Lady of Hope, and was an altar boy. He graduated our Lady of Hope in 1990 and had many close friends and family in the neighborhood. He owned a tanning salon on Eliot Avenue across the street from the church where he made many, many friends. For the past nine years he has been more than just a waiter at Barosa’s, he was always a smiling face when you walked in the door, a kiss hello, great service and was fantastic joke teller. He always made you feel at home and comfortable and well taken care of as though you were in his own home. His joy and love for life was contagious.”
“He will be missed terribly because his spirit and who he was was such an incredible energy. Always a compliment, always a smile, always a kiss, always a good time when Charlie was around. Everyone in the neighborhood knew and loved him. It’s like all of Middle Village is mourning. When they say only the good die young they were definitely talking about Charlie.”
The restaurant shared a message on their Facebook page, after D’Ambra’s passing.
“In what has to be one of the hardest things I could ever write to all my customers, family, and friends it is with an absolute crushed heart to inform you of our Dear Charlie’s passing. Charles was without a doubt one of the nicest people you could ever meet. His kindness and caring for all the people he has ever met was his gift to us all. His love for life and to make people smile and be happy was his goal every day. To try to put into words the love we have for Charles is impossible. Charlie was everyones family…. May God have Charlie at his side as he watches over us. Rest In Peace my dear Charles…… Love you”
A van backing out of a driveway struck and killed a man in Middle Village, Thursday night, the NYPD said.
The accident unfolded on 60th Lane near Eliot Avenue when the operator of a 2008 Ford Econoline struck an unidentified the victim while backing out of a driveway about 10:45 p.m., police said.
