Bay Ridge mourns loss of beloved mail carrier Yazan Alsaras, raise more than $11k in his honor

Bay Ridge residents are coming together to support the family of Yazan Alsaras, a beloved mail carrier who passed away unexpectedly earlier this month at the age of 39. Known for his unwavering work ethic and deep commitment to his community, Alsaras left behind a wife and a young child facing a daunting loss.

Neighbors and community members remember Alsaras as much more than a postal worker. According to an online fundraising campaign set up in his honor, he was “a friend, a compassionate neighbor, and a bright presence in the lives of his customers.” He formed lasting connections with everyone he encountered, from customers to coworkers, the fundraiser says, infusing warmth and kindness into his daily interactions.

Myrna Torres, a resident who has spearheaded efforts to raise awareness about Alsaras’ impact, shared her heartfelt memories on social media.

“Yazan was willing to go the extra mile,” she told Brooklyn Paper, remembering when he helped her track down a misplaced package. “He was kind — I cannot even describe it in words. When you looked into his eyes, you knew he was honest, cared for his job, had a strong work ethic, and was incredibly personable.”

The GoFundMe campaign, titled “Support for Yazan Alsaras’ Family,” has quickly gained traction, with over $11,877 raised toward its $25,000 goal. According to the campaign details, all contributions will go directly toward immediate expenses for his grieving family and provide some much-needed stability.

“Any contribution, no matter how small, will be a tribute to Yazan’s legacy of kindness and service,” the fundraising page says.

As the Bay Ridge community rallies to honor Alsaras and support his family, they remember his vital role in their lives.

“Losing someone like him is an irreplaceable loss. He was so unique,” Torres said. “I hope people can learn from his work ethic and return to the era where the mailman knew your name and the community helped each other.”