A man shot to death last week on a Queens street lived a troubled life but that did not keep him from being a devoted dad who doted on his two kids, relatives said.
Oliver Nava, 27, was killed outside a bodega on 108th St. near Waldron St. in Corona at about 8:35 p.m. last Thursday. He had a criminal history including more than 30 arrests, including once for a gun-related offense, police said.
But a close relative said Nava made it a point to keep his outside life separate from his life at home with his family.
“He kept his nonfamily life very, very private from his family.” the relative said. “I know that there was a family side of him and a nonfamily side of him. He was very private. When he was with us, he really was a funny guy.”
Nicholas Williams / New York Daily News
A memorial is set up for Oliver Nava, who was shot on 108th St. near Waldron St. in Corona, Queens Thursday. (Nicholas Williams / New York Daily News)
The relative declined to give his name because he feared retaliation from the shooter, who has not been caught yet.
The relative knew little about Nava’s outside connections or associations.
“We had ideas of what he was involved in, but we never imagined that he would be killed,” the relative said.
He said the family prefers to dwell on the positive aspects of the victim’s life, including Nava’s relationship with his 5-year-old daughter and 9-year-old son.
“He always loved to take them out to eat,” the relative said. “The kids really liked eating pizza with him. They really liked pizza. He was very engaging with his kids. He liked to take them to amusement parks, water parks. Time with his kids was important to him.”
Another man was wounded during the attack on Nava, who was shot in the chest and died at Jamaica Hospital.
The survivor, a 28-year-old man, was struck in the left leg and taken to Queens Hospital Center in stable condition.
The surviving victim is not cooperating with the police investigation, sources said.
A makeshift memorial of candles, flowers and balloons was erected outside the deli where the two men were shot, along with a picture of Nava.
“We thought the neighborhood was getting better last time there was a shooting,” a neighbor said.
Relatives have launched two GoFundMes to raise money for Nava’s funeral and to help take care of his kids. Nava grew up in Jackson Heights.
“I didn’t speak with him that day, but my family did,” the relative said. “My family saw him just hours before.”
