Family grieves opera stagehand dragged to death after getting caught in NYC subway doors

The hopes and dreams of a young Metropolitan Opera stagehand were gone in an instant.

The family of Joseph Ancona, dragged to his death after running to board an uptown Manhattan subway car, was remembered as a vibrant young man with an ever-present grin, a love of sports and a girlfriend of four years.

Dan Coli told the Daily News that his nephew was the happiest person he had ever met. He was called 'Smiles' because he was always smiling. He was a sweet child.

Ancona was an avid golfer who also enjoyed playing baseball and basketball when he was a kid. He followed in his father's footsteps and got a job in Manhattan.

Maria Ancona spoke to The News from her home. We can't figure it out. His parents are upset. How do you prepare for this type of news? I can't believe it happened. It's beyond consideration.

The doors shut on the last car of the No. 1 train, catching Joseph Ancona. Police said Monday. He died after falling onto the tracks. Police sources said it was not clear how the accident happened, as Ancona was running for the train that ran him down.

The sources said investigators were trying to figure out if his backpack was caught in the doors or if his foot was stuck by the train.

Coli said that everybody wants to blame someone. It won't bring him back and it won't make it any different. It appears that it was preventable.

Eye witnesses told a family member that the subway doors closed quickly, with some riders unable to get on the train.

A Met spokeswoman said the victim was respected and well-liked after he joined the staff seven months earlier.

The young victim was loved by so many that the family released a statement on the website.

Ancona commuted into the city from Bergen County using a bus and a train. The family was told of the death about two hours after it happened.

Coli said that his brother wanted to get a home. He had a girlfriend for many years. A really nice girl. She goes to school. She had to be told by her parents.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers for our family in this time of need.

An investigation will get to the cause of the death that was described by the NYC transit president. Coli said that was comforting to the grieving family.

Coli said, "Unfortunately there's a lot of heartaches." It goes that fast if you don't take every positive thing in life.

That's right, that's right.