A Staten Island grandmother killed saving her young grandson from an oncoming SUV was remembered as a “hero in death” by Cardinal Timothy Dolan today at her funeral in Staten Island.
Dolan attended and spoke in Spanish at the service for 57-year-old Mexican-born Clara Almazo on Tuesday in Staten Island. Afterward, he said there was never any doubt about whether he would be there.
“This woman coming home from Mass dies protecting her little 8-year-old grandson.
“Who could have a dry eye?” Dolan said. “I have to be there for this woman.’”
Dolan said Almazo was at Mass everyday: “She was a great source of unity and tender love for her family. A neighborhood leader.”
Almazo, her daughter, Berta Ramirez, and Berta’s 8-year-old son Brian, were walking home from a Holy Thursday Catholic church service. They were just feet away from Almazo’s house when 40-year-old Brian McGurk, a mail carrier, came barreling toward them in an SUV then sped off.
Almazo pushed Brian out of the way seconds before the SUV slammed into her, throwing her 150 feet and instantly killing her.
At the funeral Tuesday, little Brian said his broken foot still hurt from falling down as his grandmother pushed him away from danger.
Patting him on the head, Dolan tried to reassure the boy: “I just said, ‘Brian, I love you and what beautiful memories you’ll have of your grandmother.’”
“She was my favorite grandmother,” said Brian, who is one of Almazo’s 10 grandchildren.
His mother, Berta, said Almazo was a very respectful woman and used to cook dinner every night for the family. Berta, whose husband is still in Mexico, said she looked to her mom support.
“We have to be united for the kids. We’re all hard workers and we’re going to stay together to the end,” Berta said. “With my mommy in the sky, we are going to survive and be strong, and take care of the babies.”
Almazo will be buried in Oaxaca, Mexico, the family said.
McGurk, an expectant dad, has been charged with fleeing the scene. He was released from jail on $50,000 bail.