Families Bury Wendys Massacre Victims

Family, friends and sympathizers exited the first funeral of the Wendy’s massacre holding onto each other in an attempt to comfort the senseless death of hard-working family man who never had a chance. They wept as they yearned to find an answer why the husband, father and son, Ramon Nazario, was murdered in cold blood, without the ability to defend himself against a nightmare on Main St.
Nazario, 44, was the first of the five victims to be memorialized on Tuesday, May 30 at St. Michaels Church, mere blocks away from the multiple murders last Wednesday. The funeral began at 10:30 a.m. and lasted about an hour, with a large group of about 150 people filling the rectory.
"The ceremony went very well, but the family is very unconsolable right now," said Father Michael Melendez, who celebrated the mass. "It was nice how everyone pulled together, whether they knew him or not. The community has really done its best to give its support. The media has also been very respectful, which the family really appreciates."
The funeral, which was done primarily in Spanish, included music by St. Michaels Spanish choir and a poem by Nazarios niece, read by Father Melendez.
Nazario began working at Wendys three months ago with his 41-year-old sister Maritza, who was off the night of the murders. The fast food restaurant was expected to be a temporary job until he could find better work to support his family. He had applied to the Flushing Sheraton to escape the six-consecutive twelve hour work days at minimum wage.
"We were trying to get him out of there," said Benjamin Nazario, Ramons brother who has been the family spokesman. "Sometimes he didnt get home until 3 a.m. and there was no security outside to help them walk home. "I want all the families involved to get together and ask for the death penalty."
After the family drove to St. Marys Cemetery to put Nazario to rest, many of the people in attendance visited the site of the massacre, where candles, flowers and balloons decorated the outside of the establishment.
"It is such a terrible terrible tragedy," said Jeannie Didenato, who visited the Wendy’s just hours before. "I happen to know Ramon through church, but why did it have to happen to any of them. Its such a shame."
Margaret Wheeler did not know Nazario, but came out of respect. "Its shocking that this could happen anywhere, never mind so close to us. These animals should face the death penalty."
Nazario was married and had a 23-year-old daughter Elizabeth and three-year-old son Ramon Jr. Both his wife and mother had to be hospitalized after hearing about his death. Moving from Puerto Rico two years ago, Nazario liked to barbecue, dance and practice martial arts in his spare time. By the strength of the attendance and tears wept at the untimeliness of his death, it is obvious that Ramon Nazario will be missed greatly.