Posing As Apt. Seeker, Man Jumps To Death From LIC Building

There was a report of a "fatal jumper down" yesterday morning on 49th Avenue in Queens. Now the Post reports that victim was a man who posed as a potential renter at a Long Island City high-rise: Anastasi Calatzis, an out-of-work car salesman who was upset about his mother's illness and medical bills, "sent a grim text message to his brother and then jumped from the Avalon Riverview North in Long Island City."

Calatzis, 38, apparently pretended to be interested in the 25th floor apartment (he first saw it a few days ago), in order to gain access to terrace. A woman who lives across the street told the Post, "I see this guy go out on the terrace, look around holding on to the banister, and then he puts one foot over and I thought, 'Oh no! What's he going to do?' He bends his knee, and down he went, just like that. It was just so quick. He looked very calm for some reason."

His cousin says that Calatzis sent his younger brother a text message saying, "'Please take care of my mother. I can't take it anymore.' He left all the account numbers, all the keys and apologized in the text for all the pain he was going to cause."

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By Jen Chung in News on March 7, 2010 8:16 AM

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Igal

Sunday 7th, March 2010: I received a call from a buddy of my, Robert Meyer, this afternoon and received a gruesome message that our very good friend, Stas has committed suicide... Just a week ago, I called Stas, knowing that he was going through a very hard time after bringing his mother back to New York and committing her to a Nursing Home, trying to cheer him up. I tried calling him every now and then because he was just a very good person. I worked with him since 2005, first at Paragon Acura and then at Lexus of Queens. We always got along well; he was just a good hearted human being who never looked to do anyone any harm. A very soft-spoken by nature, he always cheered me on by exclaiming my name so that all around us could hear him saying “The Great Igal!” and I always responded “The Great Stas!” No matter how bad things got during our work day, I always knew that I have a true friend beside me who understood exactly what we were all in for in this not so fabulous industry of Auto Sales. During the course of our friendship I got to know Stas a whole lot. He was a sweetheart who never showed any animosity towards others. If anyone did him wrong, he would just bite the bullet and walk away. I always knew that deep down inside he was a very rare sole who would first bring harm to himself than let someone else suffer the ills of our earthly existence. Stas was a true gentleman! Unlike any of us who always rushed to the door to grab the next up (customer,) he always waited to see if it would be appropriate for him to come up to the customer and ask if they needed help.

Just a few days ago, when I called Stas, I told him that I got him an interview with my General Mgr. at Lexus of Massapequa, where I now work. Knowing that it would not be so easy to do, I still tried to cheer him up a bit saying that such is life and that none of us are immune to what plagues the human condition. …That all of us at some point or other will face the passing away of our parents and loved ones… that none of us have a choice in this matter and so on… I told him to get a grip of himself and get into shape and come in for an interview. But, he just kept saying that he is ill, that his back hurts, that he is out of money and has no desire left in him to begin working. He was concerned about his mom whom he was very close to and that they were facing becoming totally destitute trying to pay for her medical bills. We spoke for a few more minutes and as he was about to hang up, I said, Stas don’t give up! Be strong and remember that we are all in the same boat no matter how rich or well of any one of us is. We bid each other good night. As he was about to hang up, he sounded ok, and I could hear him smiling as he was talking to me. I really thought that he would pull through… And then, this! My goodness!?

Stas was courteous, polite, respectful, and just all around humane to all who came into contact with him. I am very proud to say that he was my friend because there aren’t many like him in this world. He was a true human being and I will miss him very much so! May you find peace my good friend, STAS THE GREATEST!!!

Your true friend for ever, Igal :(

Iari

wow--I never the knew the meaning of true friendship but you have helped me to understand. Anastasi was a very good man who was not in the right frame of mind. The people that have written cruel comments should practice the mantra "there but for the grace of God go I". At this time of hard economical situations with so many people unemployed and so much confusion in the world we should reach out to each other and offer support instead of the nasty negativity. I am happy that he had such a good friend to talk to-and saddened by the cousin who had to feel her importance BY publicizing his families turmoil. Dropi tis...

JacqueMehoff

I understand what he's going through, being unemployed and the sole caregiver for a sick parent is tough.

that's why I have a bullet with my name on it.

NannyState

Horrible.

Sinchy

Would this man be alive if we had a single payer public health system?

Maybe not, but something to think about.

JacqueMehoff

I say YES, now that I've read the NY Post Link.

it's very sad.

jpeditor

No because his taxes would be higher and his mother's health care would be worse.

NycChick

He wasted the real estate time and energy by making phony appts to kill him self?!? He could of just jump off into the river and not tramautize anyone. They really need to start charging house hunters/apts hunters money when it comes to showing real estate.

LaliP

what's wrong with you?? this is a tragic and heartbreaking story. are you a real estate agent or something? anyway, i wouldn't pay just to look at apts.