Father Antonio Checo, Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, 33-50 82nd St, Jackson Heights (Saint Mark’s Church Twitter, Google Maps)
April 4, 2020 By Michael Dorgan
A renowned Jackson Heights pastor died Wednesday from coronavirus.
Father Antonio Checo, 65, pastor of Saint Mark’s Episcopal Church, died Wednesday at Mount Sinai Hospital, from complications relating to COVID-19.
“Antonio was a dedicated and hardworking vicar, enthusiastic and lover of the people of his parish and the communities of Jackson Heights and Astoria and the neighborhoods around,” said Reverend Lawrence Provenzano, Bishop of Long Island.
“His transparent love for Jesus and the people he was called to serve was contagious to all of us,” he said.
“When Antonio said he was praying for you, you knew well he prayed for you all the time.”
Checo was of Dominican origin and came to New York in 1982. He was installed as the Rector of Saint Mark’s Church in October 2017 and the church said that the parish would get through his passing collectively.
“We will come out of this together and pray that when we come out on the other side of this crisis we can meet to remember adequately the life of our dear Czech Father,” the church wrote on their Twitter page Friday.
Dear Parish Family of St. Mark’s JacksonHeights:
Our Rector Father Antonio Checo died today from COVID19.
We will get through this together and we pray that when we come out on the other side of this crisis we can come together to properly remember the life of our dear Fr. Checo. pic.twitter.com/LGQoaGvvO9— St. Mark’s Church (@Saint_Marks) April 2, 2020
Checo served as chairman of the Hispanic Commission of the Diocese of Long Island and was a member of the Board of the Mercer School of Theology. He was also very active in Cursillo – an apostolic movement of the Roman Catholic Church.
In 2017 the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People – Corona-East Elmhurst branch – presented its Clergy Award to Checo, in recognition of “his faithful service to the Church and outstanding dedication to the community.”
Several Queens leaders expressed their remorse at the pastor’s passing.
Assemblywoman Catalina Cruz said that COVID-19 had “taken another pillar in our community.”
“Thank you for Father Checo for your love. Thank you for urging me to serve with compassion, understanding and taking care of the needy,” she said.
Covid has taken another pillar in our community. This was from the day he spoke at my swearing in. Thank you for Father Checo for your love. Thank you for urging me to serve with compassion, understanding and taking care of the needy. Que Dios te tenga un su gloria. pic.twitter.com/fQcQlEm3BE
— Catalina Cruz, Esq. (@CatalinaCruzNY) April 2, 2020
State Senator Jessica Ramos said that Checo was devoted to uplifting his parish and those in need.
“Antonio Checo was a tireless servant of God,” she tweeted.
“His memory & legacy will live on in our community,” she said.
Father Checo, our beloved rector at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Jackson Heights, passed away due to complications of COVID-19. Rev. Antonio Checo was a tireless servant of God, devoted to uplifting his parish & those in need. His memory & legacy will live on in our community. pic.twitter.com/OTkseKHiY4
— Jessica Ramos (@jessicaramos) April 2, 2020
Council Member Danny Dromm also acknowledged the death of Checo on Twitter.
Folks, I lost five friends so far this week. COVID-19 took their lives. My friends are Lorena Borja, Priscilla Carrow, Father Antonio Checo, Tarlach MacNiallais, Joe Forman. May they RIP. Please, please take this disease seriously.
— Daniel Dromm (@Dromm25) April 1, 2020
