Sooi Chung, a longtime colleague, said in a phone interview that Mr. Yan worked seven days a week to support his wife and three children, who range in age from 2 to 15, she said, he. will help his wife, who works at a nearby laundromat.
Councilman Julie Won, a Korean-American, said Mr. Yan’s death symbolizes delivery workers face danger, many of whom are Asian-American. They were target of violent attacks during the coronavirus pandemic, and they have also been defeated by public and labor safety systems that put their lives at risk as they seek to earn a living, she said.
The Great Wall was closed on Sunday, but more than a dozen customers gathered outside and shared stories about Mr. Yan. Nearly a dozen flower bouquets were lined up outside the restaurant in the afternoon, and several people left messages for his family on greeting cards.
Among those who came to pay their respects was Andres Villa, 45, who works at a building in Forest Hills. He remembers Mr. Yan as a hard worker with a cheerful demeanor.
“He was always running around no matter what kind of weather we had,” said Mr. Villa. “Rain and snow, he was always working. He was always shouting to everyone, “Hi, my friend!”
Mr. Villa said he once saw a driver bump into Mr. Yan’s car, which was full of delivery orders. Mr. Yan was not angry, he said. “He just said, ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back,’ and delivered the food,” Mr Villa said.
Mr. Yan’s murder is the second this year in Area 112, which includes Forest Hills and Rego Park, an area that hasn’t had a homicide since 2016, according to police statistics.
