Cyndi Lauper's 90-Year-Old Uncle Died in Hurricane Sandy

New York City native Cyndi Lauper has paid tribute to her uncle George Stathis, 90, who died at his home in Queens during Hurricane Sandy.

our editor recommends

'American Idol' Alum Pia Toscano and Jared Lee Cover Cyndi Lauper (Video)

Hollywood Style Hits Kentucky Derby 2012: Cyndi Lauper, Mary J. Blige, Star Jones' Wacky Hat Battle (Poll)

The singer-activist performed "Time After Time" in honor of Stathis on Monday at the Lenox Hill "Autumn Ball." The event, held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, benefited Sandy victims.

"He was old. He didn’t want to leave his house. I was in Chicago, and I called and said [to relatives], 'Why did you guys leave him?' and they just didn’t think it was going to get that bad," Lauper told eventgoers, according to the New York Post.

Stathis' body was discovered at his Beach 121st Street home in Rockaway Park after Sandy struck the Eastern Seaboard, leaving more than 100 people dead in its wake.

Lauper, 59, recently released a memoir chronicling her depression and rise to fame in the '80s. Last month in Chicago, she and Harvey Fierstein premiered their new Broadway-bound musical Kinky Boots, which they co-wrote and is based on the 2005 film.