Fund for Nicanor's Widow
Donation protected
***In honor of my father an anonymous donor is making $1,000 holiday gifts to independent-owner operator yellow cab drivers who, like my dad, bought their medallion before 1990 and actively drove their medallion cab through 2017 according to TLC records. The donor has already mailed 60 checks to drivers of that description who have permitted the TLC to disclose their mailing address. 150 other drivers have yet to respond to the TLC. If you are a driver who has been contacted by the TLC regarding this, please let the TLC know it's okay to disclose your mailing address!***
On Friday, March 16th, the Ochisor family lost a loved one and NYC taxi drivers lost a brother.
Nicanor Ochisor was a 64-year old Queens, NY resident and yellow cab driver, who migrated from Romania in 1986 to provide a better life for his wife and son, Gabriel. In 1989, he purchased a NYC taxicab medallion and worked as a NYC taxi owner-driver for over 25 years. He and his wife split their shifts, together working around the clock to make ends meet. They had hoped to use the medallion to finance their home and retirement, but over the past 5 years the taxi industry shifted for the worse. Driver incomes have fallen nearly 30%, making it nearly impossible to keep up with operating expenses, let alone medical bills or time to rest and recuperate. Nicanor struggled, working longer for less and as the medallion value dropped from $1 million to $180,000, he struggled to keep up with cab expenses, with no retirement or relief in sight.
On Friday, March 16th, Nicanor took his own life.
He is survived by his wife, son, grandson and daughter-in-law, who are struggling to piece together their lives in the wake of their loss.
The Ochisor family is seeking to raise $60,000. They will use this money to pay off the medallion so Nicanor’s wife can finally retire. As Gabriel said of his mother, "she is 60 years old and worked in the cab alongside my father since 1989 and I would like to see her be able to retire in peace without any financial worries." Any remaining money will be donated by the Ochisor family to the surviving families of other fallen drivers.
Please donate whatever you can to support the Ochisor's.
On Friday, March 16th, the Ochisor family lost a loved one and NYC taxi drivers lost a brother.
Nicanor Ochisor was a 64-year old Queens, NY resident and yellow cab driver, who migrated from Romania in 1986 to provide a better life for his wife and son, Gabriel. In 1989, he purchased a NYC taxicab medallion and worked as a NYC taxi owner-driver for over 25 years. He and his wife split their shifts, together working around the clock to make ends meet. They had hoped to use the medallion to finance their home and retirement, but over the past 5 years the taxi industry shifted for the worse. Driver incomes have fallen nearly 30%, making it nearly impossible to keep up with operating expenses, let alone medical bills or time to rest and recuperate. Nicanor struggled, working longer for less and as the medallion value dropped from $1 million to $180,000, he struggled to keep up with cab expenses, with no retirement or relief in sight.
On Friday, March 16th, Nicanor took his own life.
He is survived by his wife, son, grandson and daughter-in-law, who are struggling to piece together their lives in the wake of their loss.
The Ochisor family is seeking to raise $60,000. They will use this money to pay off the medallion so Nicanor’s wife can finally retire. As Gabriel said of his mother, "she is 60 years old and worked in the cab alongside my father since 1989 and I would like to see her be able to retire in peace without any financial worries." Any remaining money will be donated by the Ochisor family to the surviving families of other fallen drivers.
Please donate whatever you can to support the Ochisor's.
Organizer
Gabriel Ochisor
Organizer
Maspeth, NY
