by Julie D. Andrews
One can only imagine what the eyes of a Park Avenue doorman sees over the course of his career. But, you’d have to pry the details out of him with a very sharp knife. As a rule, these fellas are tight-lipped about all that, showing a loyalty to the tenants whom they watch over rarely seen in other spheres. They sign for packages. They hail down cabs for in rain, sleet, and snow. And, what’s more, they keep the riff raff out. Most Park Avenue residences are closed-door buildings. And, you’re not getting through those thickly latticed doors – to the comfort of the lush parlors beyond — without presenting a valid reason why you need to. Get to know a few of the legendary, and relatively new, Park Avenue Doormen crew here.
| | Jerry
Doorman at: 812 Park Avenue ... Been a doorman here for: 25 years
Where are you from? ... Brooklyn … Still live there.
How do you get to the Upper East Side for work? ... Take the subway.
What’s the best holiday gift a tenant ever gave you? ... Most people give money. And, that’s nice. Not like when I was a social studies teacher at a parochial school in Brooklyn.
Why’s that? What kind of gifts did your students give you? ... Well, they were poorer kids, so I’d get lots and lots of cologne. So much so, that I’d start to wonder if they were trying to give me a hint! (laughing) I miss the children, sometimes. |  | Bet you miss the three months summer vacation, too! ... Well, I get five weeks now ... because I’ve been here a long time. That first year was tough, though, going from two months to two weeks of vacation.
What age group did you teach? ... I taught sixth, seventh, and eighth grades for ten years.
I guess Park Avenue tenants don’t have time to give gifts other than money, huh? ... There was this one woman in the building who was really a great cook. She’d send down the most delicious food. She’s retired now, though. And as you can see, we’re all slimming down a bit!
Do you make more now than you did as a teacher? ... Oh yes. Much more.
What’s made you stay on as Doorman here for 25 years? ... The comfort factor, I guess. I don’t like change all that much. And, I get off at 3:30 every day.
What’s the best lunch joint around here? ... I love Corrado, the bakery. Payard is nice, too. Not that I’ve been there too often!
What’s the best thing about your job? ... I really like the neighborhood, the bookstores and churches. There’s a wonderful church across the way. When I used to work Sundays, I would go to there to hear their song masses – it’s the Church of the Resurrection. They’re trying to raise money for a new organ now.
Guess you know the neighborhood like the back of your hand after 25 years. ... Yes. People often stop to ask: “Where’s the Whitney?” or Where’s the Asia Society?” I always tell them where to go.
Where can you be found when you’re not working? ... Traveling. My parents live in Ireland. I like to visit them.
What’s the best place you’ve traveled to? ... I once had a week in Tuscany. Was very nice.
Did you ever get used to wearing the hat? ... No. Never.
| | Frankie
Doorman at: 875 Park ... Doorman here for: 20 years
Where are you from? ... Puerto Rico originally, but I’ve been here a long time.
What’s the best holiday gift a tenant ever gave you? ... Usually they give cash. But, one tenant knows I like chocolate a lot and she gave me a box of dark chocolate. That was nice, and good.
What’s the best thing about your job? ... You get to know interesting people. And, it’s not that hard. But, it can be depressing sometimes, because people can give you headaches.
What gives you headaches? ... When you know you’re right, and you have to say that you’re wrong.What’s the most unusual thing that has happened while you were on duty? ... In 1989, Charlie, the superintendent died. |  | That’s horrible! What happened? ... There had been a big rainstorm and the penthouse flooded. They called Charlie to go up and fix the problem. When he went up there, he plugged a light into the wall. He was holding the light and dropped it into the water. He was electrocuted.
Sorry to hear that. ... He was a very nice guy – worked here about four years. He was rushing to get to his house in the country, but he wanted to fix the flood first.
That’s tragic. Sounds like he was a good man. ... Yeah, the handyman was with him and tried to save him. And, some of the doctors in the building tried to save him. But, he died fast, within a few seconds.
Where can you be found doing when you’re not working? ...
Spending time with my family. My son Brian is 14 years old and my daughter Christien is 20.
Does it bother you that you have to wear a hat? ... No. You get used to it.
| | Mark
Doorman at: 840 Park Avenue ... Been a doorman here for: One year
Where are you from? ... New York born and raised. Manhattan. I live in Queens now.
You’ve been here one year? ... Yes. John, the senior doorman has been here more than 15 years.
What’s the best part about your job? ... The stability. It pays the bills.
What’s the best holiday gift you ever got? ... Everyone gives cash. But you do get the occasional bottle of wine. But, I like cash the best.
I guess most people do. Do most tenants give you the money discreetly or openly? ... It depends. People are busy. Sometimes they forget. But, then when they see you they remember. |  |
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