Tragedy Strikes in Brooklyn
A handyman who worked for NYCHA was tragically killed when a tree fell on him in Brooklyn. Leighton Brown, known among residents as “Mr. Fix-it,” was on duty, wearing his familiar brown rain boots that community members recognized in the aftermath.
The 56-year-old maintenance worker was a dedicated servant to the tenants of the Cypress Hills Houses, assisting countless individuals over his more than ten years in the job.
“He was just wonderful,” remarked Robin Howard, 67. “All the tenants would say, ‘that’s Mr. Fix-it!’”
He was so approachable. Even during his lunch breaks, residents felt comfortable asking for help. Brown would respond, “I’m on lunch, but give me a few minutes, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Everyone, everyone says he’s the best person they ever had out there,” Howard added.
Kevin Duran, a tenant, recalled a recent visit from Brown to fix a shower head. Brown had shared some exciting news. “He told me, ‘Kev, don’t tell anybody yet because I haven’t talked to everyone,’” Duran said. “He mentioned that his transfer was approved, and he was promoted. This was his last week here.”
Even on that fateful Saturday, Brown continued to work, undeterred by the harsh nor’easter that brought high winds and caused trees to fall—one of which ultimately claimed his life.
A resident known as “Ms. Henry” described how she saw Brown working outside of his regular hours that day, donning his knee-high rain boots against the backdrop of terrible weather. When she heard a tree had fallen, she rushed downstairs and found her worst fears confirmed when she saw Brown being taken away by emergency responders.
“When I saw him in the ambulance, I recognized those boots immediately,” she expressed. “He was a well-known man; he had worked in just about everyone’s apartment on this side. Everybody knew Mr. Brown.”
At least three other trees also fell in the development, prompting crews to clear the area on Sunday, while residents dealt with the loss of their beloved handyman. Brown had family back in Jamaica, and his son in Connecticut was expected to arrive on Monday, the community reported.
