Council Member Costa Constantinides, his wife Lori and son Nico (twitter)
April 19, 2021 By Christian Murray
Costa Constantinides, who represented Astoria in the City Council until earlier this month, shared a message on twitter this afternoon that his wife has passed away.
Constantinides said that his wife, Lori, died Monday morning.
“My wife Lori went home this morning after a long illness battling kidney failure and type 1 diabetes. I’m at a loss for words as I grieve her Ioss. Thank you to all the friends and family who have helped for many years care for our family. I love you babymoo. Niko and I love you.”
The announcement follows a tumultuous year for Constantinides and his family in terms of health.
He and his wife were both struck by COVID-19 last April.
Constantinides provided a harrowing account of his experience — and his family’s — when he discussed it on a Zoom and Facebook Live stream at the time.
“It was a really scary time… a very scary moment in our home,” he said.
He said that he had been hospitalized on three separate occasions while Lori spent 12 consecutive days in the hospital due to COVID-19 and required an oxygen mask to help her breathe.
It was particularly tough for Lori given her preexisting conditions. She had diabetes and was in need of a kidney transplant—and required dialysis.
The pair had to quarantine in his mother-in-law’s basement while they fought off COVID-19.
Their son Nico, an only child, remained healthy throughout the ordeal.
My wife Lori went home this morning after a long illness battling kidney failure and type 1 diabetes. Im at a loss for words as I grieve her Ioss. Thank you to all the friends and family who have helped for many years care for our family. I love you babymoo. Niko and I love you pic.twitter.com/epF3lHE2vq
— Costa Constantinides (@Costa4NY) April 19, 2021
Condolences messages have come flooding in.
“Sending you love and strength,” posted Queens Borough President Donovan Richards on twitter. “May Lori rest in peace Folded hands I’m here for you if you need anything brother.”
State Sen. Mike Gianaris also posted a heartfelt message about Constantinides.
“Few families have endured more hardship over the last year than Costa’s, and yet they continued to maintain their dignified manner through it all.”
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