May 20, 2009 8:20 pm US/Eastern
A Final Goodbye For Asst. Principal Killed By H1N1
Family, Friends Remember Mitch Wiener As A Man That Would Go Out Of His Way For Basically Anyone
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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IS-238 Assistant Principal Mitch Weiner died on Sunday after his battle with swine flu.
CBS
There was a final farewell Wednesday to the beloved assistant principal who became New York City's first, and so far only, confirmed death related to swine flu.
Family and friends paid tribute to Mitchell Wiener on Wednesday afternoon in Queens.
Hundreds of relatives, friends and co-workers came to say goodbye to a beloved friend and assistant principal of IS 238.
"The whole community is just devastated," friend Jessie Stanton said.
"It hurts. My heart is aching," added Lorraine Calabrese, senior cook at IS 238.
Wiener had difficulty breathing last week and was brought to Flushing Hospital. It turned out he had the H1N1 virus, swine flu, and within a week he died.
Officials said the 55-year-old had a pre-existing medical condition that played a role in his death, something his family has denied. But those in attendance Wednesday chose to focus on the way he lived rather than how he died.
"He is the model citizen. He takes everybody under his wings, very generous with his time," said Rick Schon, Wiener's cousin.
"We grew up together kind of, he was a nice, nice guy," neighbor Steve Farron added.
"He cared about everybody, everybody. Wonderful father, wonderful friend and administrator, can't say enough good things," Stanton said.
Wiener was the assistant principal at IS 238 for the past 20 years. His students there said that he always made time for them and was someone they could turn to for help.
"Whenever I needed help I would always go to him," seventh grader Jeffery Grey said. "Now I really don't know who to go to when I need help."
"I knew Mitch Wiener to go out of his way to bend the rules to help the kids," teacher Lesley Jarowey said.
Wiener is survived by his wife, Bonnie, and their three sons.
After wiener was admitted to the hospital IS 238 was closed. It will re-open on Friday.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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