By Bill Parry
Dozens of community and clergy came together outside the office of the late state Sen. Jose Peralta on Junction Boulevard Sunday for a prayer vigil in honor of his service representing northwest Queens in the Assembly and Senate over the last 16 years.
Peralta died suddenly Wednesday night while undergoing treatment at Elmhurst Hospital. The exact cause of death is still to be determined by the Medical Examiner.
Visitation services will be held Monday at the Joseph Farenga & Sons Funeral Home, located at 38-08 Ditmars Blvd. in Astoria, from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday, Nov. 27, at St. Joan of Arc Church at 82-00 35th Ave. in Jackson Heights at 10:30 a.m. before the senator is interred at St. Michael’s Cemetery, located at 72-02 Astoria Blvd., in East Elmhurst.
Meanwhile, Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s campaign contributed $10,000 to help Peralta’s family pay for funeral expenses. The GoFundMe page raised more than $42,000, far exceeding the $25,000 goal in contributions from 106 people in less than 24 hours.
Cuomo and Mayor Bill de Blasio also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff across the city and state in honor of Peralta’s service to the people of New York.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at bparr
