Queens Street Re-Namings
Salute  Sept. 11 Heroes

By Jonathan Kivell

When Mayor Mike Bloomberg signed into law the renaming of 97 streets in the City – including 16 in Queens – for Sept. 11 victims last week, he said, “All the people who lost their lives were heroes as well as victims. We both celebrate their lives and mourn their passing by renaming streets in their memory.”

According to Bernice Spitzer, a City Council spokesperson, streets are renamed through a series of legislative procedures.

To start, family members can approach their local Councilmembers about the prospect of changing a street’s name, stating information about the honoree, and a reason why a street should be named in their honor.

If the Councilmember agrees, he or she can introduce a bill to the Council’s Parks and Recreation Committee chaired by South Queens Councilmember Joseph Addabbo Jr.

This Bayside intersection will soon honor Fire Captain Vincent Giammona, a victim whose birthday was on Sept. 11. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

Following committee approval, a proposal to change a street’s name must be approved by the entire Council, before the Mayor chooses whether or not he will sign it into law.

A spokesperson for the City Department of Transportation told the Tribune that the decision of when signs honoring the heroes of Sept. 11 will be installed is up to victims’ families and the Councilmembers who sponsored the proposals.

In many instances, the signs are installed on a special day in the life of each victim, like a birthday or a holiday celebrated by the family.

The following are some of the street re-namings for Queens:

Carlos Lillo Way - 30th Road bet. Crescent and 29th Streets, Astoria

On Sept. 11, Carlos Lillo was treating patients at the triage site on Church Street, facing Tower One. Lillo took great pride in his profession, working as an EMT for 16 years, and most recently serving in Battalion 49.

Born on Nov. 18, 1963, Carlos is survived by his mother, Ilia Rodriquez, his father, Julio Lillo, two brothers, Cesar and Alex, two sisters, Iliana and Olga and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jill Maurer-Campbell Street - Gray Street between Juniper Valley Rd and 66th Drive, Middle Village

Born and raised in Middle Village, Jill Maurer-Campbell was the daughter of a FDNY Captain. A student at P.S. 49, Junior High School 49, and St. Francis Prep, Jill graduated Magna Cum Laude from Adelphi University.

Athlete and Firefighter Timothy Welty will soon be honored at this Flushing intersection. Tribune Photo by Ira Cohen

Firefighter Timothy M. Welty - 159th Street between 29th and 32nd Avenues, Flushing

A faithful and devoted husband, Timothy Welty worked ceaselessly to provide everything possible for his family. Welty was devoted to his son, Jake, who was the joy of his life, and he and Jake spent time teaching hockey and baseball, and building things together. “He gave Jake his time, and if he was busy, he made time for Jake,” his mother said.

Stephen “Bells” Belson Way - Beach 92nd Street from Rockaway Beach Blvd. to the Boardwalk, Rockaway Beach

Stephen Belson served the Rockaway community first as a lifeguard, then later joining New York’s Bravest with his coworkers at the beach.

Callaghan said that although the former Lehman College swimmer was injured on the job and could’ve retired, he chose to remain with the FDNY after back surgery. Stephen, who worked at Ladder 24, was born in Flushing and was 50-years-old on Sept. 11, 2001.

Thomas J. Ashton Way - Northwest corner of the intersection of 47th Avenue and 60th Street, Woodside

Thomas Ashton was eager to pursue a career in the electrical industry attended St. Francis College in Brooklyn, and joined Local 3 IBEW as an apprentice electrician on July 18, 2001. His goal was to learn the industry while completing his bachelor’s degree at night.

Ashton, a Woodside native, enrolled in Empire State College and attended his first class on Sept. 10, 2001. Placed in a new job with the union that day, Sept. 11 was Ashton’s second day on the job at the World Trade Center.

Scott M. Kopytko Triangle - The convergence of Oak and Quince Avenues and 158th Street, Flushing

A former commodities broker at the World Trade Center, Scott Kopytko  was born in Flushing and attended school at P.S. 163, St. Anne’s School, and Francis Lewis High School. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in computer science at St. John’s University, and worked in the finance industry before taking the FDNY test in 1993. On Sept. 11, Kopytko, 32, was only a few credits away from obtaining a master’s degree in finance from St. John’s University.

Manuel Mojica Corner - Southwest corner of the intersection of 34th Avenue and 21st Street, Long Island City

A former Marine, Manuel Mojica’s nickname around his lower Manhattan firehouse’s neighborhood was “The Mayor of West 10th Street.” Mojica joined New York’s Bravest after returning from service in the Marines, and was assigned to Squad 18 on West 10th Street. Mojica lived in Long Island City, marrying the love of his life, Anna Vecchione in April of 1991.

With two children, Stephanie and Manny, Manuel and Anna spent almost all their free time together. Among their greatest passions were bowling matches and traveling.

Captain Vincent F. Giammona - 42nd Avenue between 201st and 202nd Streets, Bayside

A varsity runner in high school, and student at Queens College and Binghamton University, Giammona worked for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey for three years after college before following his father’s lead and joining the FDNY. Giammona’s father also served as a Captain in the FDNY.

Giammona was a firefighter in Ladder 136 located in Corona and Ladder 103 located in East New York, Brooklyn.

Giammona celebrated his 40th birthday on Sept. 11, 2001.

Bobby McMahon Way - 60th Street between Queens Boulevard and Woodside Avenue, Woodside

“He had a very special way of making everyone feel like a friend,” Julie McMahon said of her husband Bobby, who worked at Manhattan Ladder co. 20 on Lafayette Street. Julie and her husband had met while they were both working at a camp for children with Cancer in New Jersey. The generous couple was living together in Woodside on Sept. 11.

As a firefighter in SoHo, one of McMahon’s greatest joys was going around to do fire code inspections at the plethora of art galleries in his neighborhood.

Police Officer Ramon Suarez Avenue - Catalpa Avenue between Woodward and Onderdonk Avenues, Ridgewood

A physical fitness guru, Ramon Suarez was the recipient of numerous trophies and awards for his expertise in Karate. On Sept. 11, the graduate of the Manhattan School of Graphic Arts and Design was a few credits shy of Bachelor of Arts degree from Pace University.

Suarez, who grew up in East Harlem, joined the NYPD in January of 1987, and is survived by his wife and their daughter Jillian, as well as two children from his first marriage, Sophia and Ray Jr.

Lucia Crifasi Street - 69th Street between Central and Myrtle Avenues, Glendale

Born in Montevago, Agrigento, Sicily on May 27, 1950, Crifasi immigrated to New York in December of 1958, with her mother, sister and brother. Upon arrival, she entered the fourth grade at P.S. 53 in Brooklyn, which no longer exists, and then attended Willoughby Junior High School 162, and graduated from Bushwick High School in 1967.

Crifasi’s greatest love was traveling, and she had gone throughout Europe, the Caribbean, the West Coast, and South America. According to a close friend, Crifasi loved life and all that it entailed. A simple get-together was always a cause for celebration because of her laughter and joy. Crifasi lit up a room when she walked in and had the gift of making everyone feel special and important.

Barbara Guzzardo Street - 65th Street from 68th Avenue North to the end of the street, Glendale

Exiled from Cuba, Barbara Guzzardo came to the United States as a political refugee at age five. She taught herself English and worked her way through high school and college, earning awards and certificates that enabled her to become a corporate vice president and broker.

Guzzardo, a devoted wife and mother, was described as an easygoing optimist that was well liked by anyone who knew her and whose life she touched.

Firefighter Michael Cawley Place - Kalmia Avenue between Parsons Boulevard and 156th Street, Flushing

After graduation from the Fire Department’s academy, Michael Cawley was assigned to Ladder Company 136 in Elmhurst. One of his proudest days as a firefighter was April 4, 2001, when he and his company responded to an accident where a man working for an electric company was electrocuted by the power lines he was repairing. Using his quick instincts and life saving training, Cawley put his own life on the line to save another.

Doreen J. Angrisani Street - Madison Street from 64th Street east to the end of the street, Ridgewood

Born on October 29, 1956 in Middle Village, Doreen Angrisani never ventured too far from her birthplace. The graduate of St. Nicholas High School in Greenpoint, Brooklyn moved onto Madison Street in Ridgewood, and lived there for sixteen years, with her sister, brother-in-law, niece and nephew.

Thomas A. Casoria - 22nd Avenue between 149th and 150th Streets, Whitestone

A second baseman on the Fire Department softball team, Thomas Casoria played baseball at Holy Cross High School in Flushing, and was an All-City football player.

Casoria, a member of Engine 22 on East 85th Street in Manhattan, was a member of New York’s Bravest for three years before he went to the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001. Engaged on Oct. 22, 2000, Casoria was scheduled to be married on Oct. 13 2001.

Officer Thomas M. Langone and Officer Paul Talty Way - 37th Avenue between Union and Bowne Streets, Flushing

Langone held the rank of Second Assistant Chief of the Roslyn Rescue Fire Company, and served as the department training officer.  From a firefighting family, Langone’s father Paul, brother Peter, and sisters Joanne and Rosemarie have all served in the department.

Langone, a graduate of Nassau Community College, lived in Williston Park with his wife JoAnn, daughter Caitlin, and son Brian.

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