Jimmy at 464 Columbus Avenue between 82nd and 83rd streets. The garden is dedicated to his sister, Barbara, who passed away five years ago. Wray does the plantings in the tree-bed every year and helps maintain it.
As we sit on a stoop on 82nd Street between Columbus and Central Park West, a passerby stops to greet Jimmy Wray, a building super who has worked in the neighborhood since 1995. This happens a couple more times, even as Wray receives calls from tenants asking for help with odd jobs in their apartments. Wray plans to retire in January, leaving behind big shoes—and a large heart—to fill.
Advertisement
Born and raised in Minnesota, Wray moved to Long Island in the 1960s with his father who was an ice fisherman before getting a job with Brooklyn Gas, now Con Edison. Wray’s first job on the Upper West Side was as a doorman at 222 West 83rd Street, a position he held for 16 years before quitting. “I didn’t like it, but I worked at it,” said Wray, who then shared a story of fortunate coincidence. While walking away from his former job, he recalled “…walking down the block on 83rd Street, near #465, when [he] met a heavy-set guy who said he was looking for a super.” Wray admitted he didn’t know anything about that work, but the man assured him he could learn on the job. “Hell of a nice guy, Marty Shaff,” said Wray. That was in 1995, and Wray has been a super ever since.
Wray now serves as the super for 12 different buildings, including three on the Upper East Side. He lives on West 102nd Street, at one of the Upper West Side buildings he manages. When asked what led to his retirement decision, he said, “The age… the body ain’t working like it used to. I don’t want to shovel snow anymore.” Wray is up at 5:30 a.m. seven days a week, and every day is its own adventure. He pointed out that garbage days on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays involve heavy pick-ups with a lot of physical labor.
“I love the kids, and the dogs, and stuff like that,” said Wray when asked about what he’s going to miss most about being on the Upper West Side. He’s especially fond of the octopus salad from Lokal 83, the pie from Pizza Pete’s at 528 Columbus Avenue, and the hibachi Asian bistro with sushi from Flame at 100 West 82nd Street. However, there are some things Wray won’t miss. “The main thing is the people who drive you crazy for no reason or call you at three o’clock in the morning because they see a mouse,” he said with a chuckle.
Wray went on to share a story about working with Jerry Seinfeld, who lives nearby. Before the building changed ownership, Wray was the super of a local building where Seinfeld, an avid car collector, kept many of his vehicles. One day Jerry wasn’t able to get the garage open so Wray came over to help him out. “He was in shorts trying to get his car out, and he asked me to stay there all day with the cars. I said no problem. Hell of a nice guy.” Wray also used to be the super of a brownstone owned by Seinfeld but he tells us he sold it.
Advertisement
Many will miss Wray’s contagious vivacious spirit and presence in the neighborhood. “He’s kind of like an institution,” said Ronen Agadi, a residential broker who works at the Corcoran Group and lives on West 82nd Street. He’s known Wray since he got started in the business about 20 years ago, as Wray has been the super for some of the buildings they’ve had listings with. “He’s very ubiquitous, you know? I see him every morning sitting on the stoop on 82nd Street on the north side between Columbus and Central Park West. I see Jimmy multiple times a day because I live here.” Agadi says it’s a great feeling knowing Wray is there, looking out, as it gives the area a true neighborhood feel where you know the people. He went on to call Wray “The mayor of 82nd Street,” describing him as an incredibly friendly and reliable guy who says hi every time you pass by.
Jimmy on the stoop at 57 West 82nd Street, one of his buildings he manages.
Wray has earned some nicknames over the years. ‘Jimmy the Fish’ is his favorite, as he’s an avid fisherman. That’s one of the things he plans to do when he retires but he does find time to catch some fishing game on his rare off time, along with enjoying his favorite team, the New York Yankees. “I’m going to go down to Daytona Beach. I got a four-bedroom apartment there.” His sister lives next door, his brother is about five blocks away, and all his nieces and nephews are there too. Jimmy also has a fishing boat waiting for him down there.
“Do your job, and take care of the tenants when they call. Don’t walk away or take all day to do a job,” was Wray’s advice for supers or those starting out in the profession. These were his keys to success in managing an increasing number of buildings in the area.
Jimmy the Fish left his mark on the Big Apple, and for that, we are all grateful.
Thank you, Jimmy.
JIMMY THE MAN! THANK YOU!!!
My buddy Jimmy. He’s absolutely the best. He is part of the fabric that made the the upper west side/82nd st home. A die hard cowboys fan always greeting you with a huge smile. Showing up to help a neighbor without question or fail. A green thumb that could grow a jungle in a sidewalk plot. Kids birthdays, Christmas, and special occasions he was there with gifts or doling out $50’s. I always loved pulling up next to him at cilantro during football season. Him giving me high and telling me he loves me. Jimmy will always be ours.