The family of Anne Marie D’Amico, the first victim identified in Monday’s deadly attack in north Toronto, is thanking the community “for their words, love and support.”
D’Amico was one of the ten victims killed after a van plowed through a crowd of people on Yonge Street around 1:30 p.m. Fifteen others were injured.
In a statement, her family said she had a “generous heart and always did big things for people.”
“She wouldn’t stop until she went the extra mile for others and that was manifested in her loving attention to detail. She genuinely wanted to care for all those around her even if it meant sacrificing a portion of herself in return for others’ happiness. She only had kindness in her.
Her name has been broadcasted around the world, attached to this terrible tragedy. But we want everyone to know that she embodied the definition of altruism,” a family member stated.
D’Amico was an employee at Invesco, a U.S.-based investment management company. One of the company’s Canadian offices is located at 5140 Yonge St., between Sheppard and Finch avenues, close to where the tragedy happened.
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It’s not known how long she worked with Invesco, but a company report from July 2017 shows D’Amico with a title of business performance management analyst. The report also said she worked on a humanitarian project to “make a difference in the developing world as they build houses, schools and work on other needed projects.”
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“What I didn’t expect was to have such a deep connection to the family and see first-hand how much this new home truly means to them,” D’Amico stated in the report.
READ MORE: Eyewitnesses describe panic as van hits Toronto pedestrians
A Facebook page called “Remembering Anne Marie D’Amico” was also created Tuesday in her honour. A post stated: “The D’Amico Family thanks everyone for their words, love and support during this time. Anne Marie was a victim in the van attack in Toronto, yesterday afternoon.”
D’Amico had also spent much of her life working for the Rogers Cup, Tennis Canada said in a statement Tuesday.
“Anne-Marie will be greatly missed by the Tennis Canada and Rogers Cup family,” the organization said in the release.
Coun. Cesar Palacio spoke at a city council meeting Tuesday morning about D’Amico, who is the daughter of two of his constituents, Rocco and Carmela D’Amico.
Palacio said “it was so devastating” when his daughter called him about the news.
WATCH: Toronto councillor speaks to Anne Marie D’Amico’s family, says they’re living a ‘nightmare’
“To Carmela and Rocco, and to the friends and neighbours of the family, my heartfelt and deepest condolences,” he said, adding he spoke to Rocco Tuesday morning.
“It was clear that part of his life is gone, as he noted, he’s living the worst nightmare ever in his life.”
Palacio said that he knows the family is strong and resilient but that the city stands “together” with them.
“There is nothing that we can say or do that will take your pain away, however, I want to say that our thoughts and prayers are with you and to the victims RIP.”
Twenty-five-year-old Richmond Hill, Ont., resident Alek Minassian has been identified as the driver of a white van. Minassian appeared in court Tuesday morning and has been charged with 10 counts of first-degree murder.
Minassian was arrested just after 1:50 p.m. ET after a brief sidewalk standoff with a lone police officer not far from the carnage. Police have not yet released the names or ages of the other victims.
Police Chief Mark Saunders said the suspect wasn’t known to police. He said since the investigation is still early, police aren’t able to provide information on a possible motive for the attack.
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