Working on New Year's Eve in Eastchester

EASTCHESTER, N.Y. – Abraham Paitilla of Mount Vernon has spent the last 11 years working on New Year's Eve. His co-worker Pablo Manjairez has been working on New Year’s Eve for eight years.

"My wife will be home with our family waiting for me," said Manjairez, a White Plains resident. "I’d be so happy to join them when I am done."

Both of them work at the American Bistro restaurant in Crestwood.

Patilla said his wife was not pleased when he began to work on New Year’s Eve.

"She is used to it now," Paitilla said. "We celebrate together after I get home."

Both Eileen Hogan and her significant other work on New Year’s Eve. Hogan works at Fogarty's in Bronxville

"I have been working on New Year’s Eve for at least six years," she said. "We celebrate on another day."

Although Maria Oliveira has been working on New Year’s Eve for 20-plus years, she said she would prefer to spend the night with her daughter and four grandchildren.

But Karen Taylor, who works with Oliveira at Fogarty's in Bronxville, said that she loves working on the holiday.

"I enjoy every moment of it," Taylor said. "Everyone is cheerful and happy to be here. It is a celebration full of hope."

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