A devoted Brooklyn son delivered on a promise to care for his widowed mom — right up until his brutal death at the hands of a callous mugger.
John Sarquiz, 55, was sucker-punched from behind by a robber who then repeatedly kicked the helpless victim on the ground the evening of March 29, with the cruel attacker stealing $1,000 from the mortally-injured victim’s wallet, according to police and family members.
“He was determined to follow through of what his father asked him to promise … take care of his mother” after the dad’s death in 2014, the victim’s younger sister Christina Sarquiz told the Us.Mistertruth Wednesday.
“It was a great sacrifice of his own life and independence to make sure she was OK,” she added. ”He followed through with his promise 110%.”
Sarquiz was attacked while walking the two blocks home from a nearby store where he often bought lottery tickets for himself and scratch-offs for his mom, his sister said. The heartless mugger kicked Sarquiz in his head and body before rifling through the victim’s wallet and taking the cash, witnesses told police.
The attacker, who was wearing a gray sweatshirt, light blue jacket and blue cap, bolted down 13th Ave. and remains on the loose.
Family members stood vigil at Sarquiz’s bedside for five difficult days before taking him off life support this past Monday, with the NYPD now investigating the case as a homicide.
“His prognosis was completely grim,” his sister recalled. “The injuries were so dire, the prognosis they painted for us was one where he would be completely and totally dependent on care for the rest of his life.
Sarquiz left behind his mother and three sisters, with Christina sharing the details learned by family members about the unprovoked attack.
“We did hear that he opened my brother’s wallet and took everything and threw the wallet back at him,” she said. “I was terrified. All I got was a call saying he was hit, and started going to emergency rooms to see if I can find him.”
Heartbroken mother Karen Sarquiz visited her son in the hospital before the tragic death, with other family members now arranging a collective effort to fill their brother’s role as her live-in primary care giver.
“After my father died, my brother pulled her from the depths of despair and gave her capacity for joy by spending time with her and helping her to find hobbies,” said sibling Christina.
John Sarquiz was standing outside the Dean Mini Market in Dyker Heights when struck from behind about 7:50 p.m., police said. The man’s head slammed into the sidewalk as he fell to the pavement on 13th Ave. near 72nd St., cops said.
Medics rushed him to NYU Langone Hospital-Brooklyn, where he later passed away. The victim grew up in nearby Sunset Park and attended Our Lady of Perpetual Help, a local Catholic school, friends said.
“My brother loved sports,” said his sister. “He loved the New York Rangers, the New York Mets. He was a simple man. All he wanted to do was watch the game and take care of his mother, listen to the music he loved and hang out with friends for a little bit.”
Seven candles and some flowers left in Sarquiz’s memory remained Wednesday outside the Mini Mart, where one worker fondly recalled the victim.
“He was a regular, he was a great guy,” the employee recalled. “We knew him for years. He would come in and get things for his mother. We closed for a few days after the incident, just out of respect for him.”
As the family made plans for a Thursday funeral, Christina said she heard police had a suspect but have yet to make an arrest.
“We heard the suspect is a repeat offender who has been in and out of jail and has a very heavy addiction,” she said. “I don’t know how someone with a repeat offense and criminal record is allowed to walk the streets.”