Roberto Pozo, Metropolitan Club

We are saddened by the loss of Roberto Pozo, a doorman at the Metropolitan Club, who passed away on April 17.

Roberto was a loving father and husband. He is remembered as a mentor and a dear friend by his coworkers. He was a helpful and caring presence in his workplace, who always went out of his way to share his wisdom with others.

“He was a great person, and was very loved in the Club for the 38 years that he worked here,” said John Hill, a doorman. “He was a humanitarian: whenever coworkers were in trouble he would always start collections to help them.”

Victor Minda, a houseman, remembers Roberto as a mentor, “Roberto and I are both Ecuadorian. When I first came to the club in 2001, he took me under his wing and gave me valuable advice to help me keep this job. He made me feel at home in a big city environment. He was funny, polite, and always made us laugh. I don’t know how I’ll feel when the Club reopens and he’s not there. ”

“He was a classy and educated individual, who loved to make people laugh,” said Oscar Peña, a banquet waiter. "Roberto helped me and guided me when I first started out at the Club three years ago. I will sorely miss him.”

Jorge Perez, a houseman, treasures the small moments he shared with Roberto, recalling that “he was friendly with everybody, and used to bring food from home. He always was very healthy. I remember how we used to drink coffee together during our break. I’m Cuban and Roberto used to love the way I made coffee. May he rest in peace.”

Carlos Gallardo, a banquet server, remembers Roberto as an inspiration for him. “We are both from Guayaquil, Ecuador, but I met Roberto 12 years ago, when I started this job. He was a happy and confident person, because he dedicated himself to providing a better life for his wife and children. He had deep love for his wife, and great pride for his children, and he never stopped talking about them.”

“I spent many beautiful moments talking to Roberto. He often told me about his journey, from Ecuador, to Costa Rica, before finally immigrating to the United States when he was young. Roberto told me that the hardest part of his journey were his first years in the United States, when he worked multiple jobs to care for his wife and children, until he finally got this job at the Club. Roberto became a homeowner in New Jersey, and always invited me over, but I never had the chance.”

Roberto is survived by his wife and children.