City of Mount Vernon Mourns the Loss of Dedicated DPW Employee Juan Peralta Sr.
A Legacy of Hard Work, Passion, and Community Devotion Lives On
MOUNT VERNON, NY — The City of Mount Vernon is in mourning following the tragic and untimely death of Juan Peralta Sr., a respected and beloved employee of the Department of Public Works (DPW), who passed away this week after a tragic workplace accident on 5th Avenue.
Mr. Peralta, a seasoned arborist and horticulturist, was more than a dedicated city employee—he was a master of his craft with a career spanning more than five decades. With over 55 years of experience in arboriculture and horticulture, his hands shaped the green spaces of New York with precision, skill, and profound care.
Before his time in Mount Vernon, Mr. Peralta brought his expertise to prestigious institutions such as Alpine Tree Service and the renowned New York Botanical Gardens, where he earned the admiration of colleagues, supervisors, and environmental professionals alike. His work was both art and science—a seamless blend of knowledge, patience, and deep-rooted passion for trees, plants, and the land they call home.
The City of Mount Vernon released a heartfelt statement following the tragedy, calling Juan’s death “a devastating loss” not only for city operations but for the entire community and the Peralta family, who now face this sorrowful chapter with unimaginable grief.
“Juan Peralta Sr. embodied the very best of public service,” the City’s statement reads. “His work ethic was second to none, and his contributions to our city’s environment and public spaces will continue to flourish as a living testament to his dedication and skill. He served not only with his hands but with his heart. His absence leaves a void that cannot easily be filled.”
Those who worked alongside Mr. Peralta recall a man of quiet strength, unmatched knowledge, and a gentle nature that made him both mentor and friend. Whether he was scaling trees with practiced ease or explaining complex plant systems to a curious onlooker, Juan did it with patience and passion. His colleagues at the DPW, many of whom viewed him as a father figure and guiding light, are devastated by his passing.
“Juan taught me everything I know about this work,” one coworker shared. “He didn’t just show me how to care for trees—he showed me how to care for people, too. He was more than a co-worker. He was family.”
His family, friends, and city officials describe him as a pillar of strength and humility, a man who always placed others before himself and who took pride in nurturing not only landscapes but relationships. Juan Peralta Sr. was a loving father, grandfather, husband, and friend, whose presence brightened every life he touched.
As news of his death spread throughout Mount Vernon, tributes have poured in from across the city. Local residents have left flowers near the site of the accident. Messages of condolence, gratitude, and remembrance continue to flood social media platforms and community notice boards. His name is being spoken with reverence, and his story shared with a mix of admiration and sorrow.
The city has asked that all residents and friends keep the Peralta family in their thoughts and prayers, and that they extend that same compassion to his grieving co-workers who are grappling with the loss of one of their most treasured team members.
In the coming days, a memorial service is expected to be organized to honor Juan’s life and legacy. City officials have indicated their intent to formally recognize his service, possibly through the dedication of a green space, garden, or tree in his name—a fitting tribute to a man who spent his life making the world around him bloom.
“In every tree he trimmed, every garden he touched, and every colleague he mentored,” said a city spokesperson, “Juan left a piece of himself behind. His spirit will live on in the very roots of this city.”
May his soul rest in peace, and may his family find strength in the legacy of beauty, honor, and service that Juan Peralta Sr. leaves behind.
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