An 85-year old retired statistician who loved nature and long walks was killed in a freak accident when a sudden storm toppled a tree that crushed him in a Queens park.

Zenon Reynarowych died on a footpath inside Forest Park about 8:30 p.m. June 6 as the fast-moving thunderstorm brought powerful winds that downed hundreds of trees across the city.

Scores of New Yorkers were outside enjoying beautiful summer weather when the storm suddenly swept across the city, bringing powerful wind gusts of up to 65 mph.

 If I knew it was going to storm, I would have told him,  Zenon, don't go out,'  said Arlene Lorenzo, a longtime tenant in the Glendale home Reynarowych owned and lived in near the park.  There's plenty of times I used to say  Zen, don't go out, it's gonna storm,'  Don't go out, it's too cold,'  Don't go out.' 

 He was a beautiful soul,  she added.  He had a nice smile. He was so sweet. 

Reynarowych had been an adjunct lecturer at Borough of Manhattan Community College, teaching elementary algebra, arithmetic, and mathematics for health sciences until 2023, a college representative said.

He was also an editor and translator of  Applied Statistics: A Handbook of Techniques. 

 He had vertigo, felt dizzy, but he was healthy,  Lorenzo said.  I would tell him all the time,  Zenon you need to take care of yourself.' He would say he is healthy and strong. Nothing is going to happen. 

Lorenzo has lived in the victim's building 24 years and considered Reynarowych to be family. He was helpful, understanding and supportive as her landlord when she was going through financial problems.

 He loved me and I loved him … We would have three-, four-hour conversations in the hallway,  she said.  Last night I came home and I broke down … He was more like family to me. He did so much for us. It's sad. 

Reynarowych was born in Ukraine and came to the United States as a child. He had two sons and was separated from his wife, according to neighbors. He inherited his home from his parents.

 He hated what was happening in Ukraine, you know, broke his heart,  Lorenzo said.  That was weighing heavy on h

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