The Skate Keeper of Empire Rink

New York, NY —

It’s hard to know which jobs are going to have the greatest impact in a city like New York. The fact that Michael Ramirez is leaving the work he’s done for 41 years might not get much attention, unless you were a regular at the Empire Roller Skating Center.

The Crown Heights rink closed its doors after 66 years last week. It doubled as a community center and Ramirez - known as Pappi - tended the skates and the kids with great attention. WNYC’s Kathleen Horan spoke with him about the place that changed his life.