Long Island diner owner hailed for feeding hospital staff for free during blizzard
The owner of a popular Long Island diner was honored by the Town of Oyster Bay on Tuesday after he donated breakfast to dozens of hospital staff members working during last week's historic blizzard.
Gus Tsiorvas to the rescue
Embassy Diner in Bethpage was one of the only restaurants open during the massive storm on Feb. 23 that dumped more than 2 feet of snow on the area.
Across the street is St. Joseph Hospital, where President Joseph Manopella contacted the diner's owner, Gus Tsiorvas, with a request for breakfast for 80 employees.
Without hesitation, Tsiorvas stepped up to the plate. He prepared and delivered a full breakfast spread with pancakes, French toast, eggs and more.
Tsiorvas also graciously declined any payment for the meal.
"His kindness allowed hospital staff to remain focused on caring for patients during dangerous weather conditions, and it serves as a powerful example of local businesses supporting those who care for our community," hospital officials said in a statement.
"It's important to be open for our community"
On Tuesday, Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino awarded Tsiorvas with a citation, the town's highest civic honor.
"We had a state of emergency I signed. In Nassau, things were at their worst, extremely dangerous, but the beacon of hope, oasis of safety, was right here," Saladino said.
"I'm humbled by it. I'm honored by it. No words to express," Tsiorvas said, later telling CBS News New York, "It's important to be open for our community. You never know when someone's gonna need that cup of coffee, or someone [who] is out happens to have an emergency and has nowhere else to go."
Diners say they keep coming back for the food and service.
"He was here for all the emergency people and people who couldn't get to the food store. He has a big heart," customer Maureen Spatafora said.
Tsiorvas comes from a law enforcement family.
"I would do anything for our community, first responders, essential workers," he said. "Those guys were cleaning our streets keeping us safe. To be able to feed them, my honor, privilege."
