Former PA Dir. Honored
By Rebecca Sesny
The Board of Trustees of the Queens Botanical Garden gathered along with family and friends of William R. DeCota and elected officials for a Tree Dedication Ceremony to honor the memory of the former Director of Aviation for the Port Authority last week.
DeCota, who passed away suddenly in September 2009 at the age of 52, had been the director for one of the world’s largest aviation authorities, overseeing three major New York-area airports, since December 1999.
After the tragedy of Sept. 11, DeCota was instrumental in helping the Queens Botanical Garden dedicate a tree in honor of Neil Levin, former Executive Director of the Port Authority who died at the World Trade Center. He also helped create an endowment fund in Levin’s name.
DeCota, active in the Boy Scouts of America, also had a hand in planting a memorial bush in honor of Richard Pearlman who, having been a Boy Scout trained in first aid, ran to help victims of the attacks and lost his life.
“It is a fitting living memorial to people who gave so much for our city and state,” said State Sen. Toby Stavisky (D-Flushing). The endowment began with $5,000 and now has more than $100,000 for the improvement and future of the garden.
DeCota died Sept. 11, 2009 and due to his work in honoring those who died eight years earlier, the Garden’s Board voted unanimously to honor him in the same manner. Wanting to dedicate the tree in a ceremony when the Garden was in full bloom, the Board decided to wait until closer to the anniversary of his death to bestow the honor.
“Bill was a national voice on major airport issues throughout his career, including initiatives to reduce flight delays and modernize aviation facilities and systems,” the Port Authority said in a statement. He also oversaw the overhaul in security at JFK, Newark and LaGuardia airports in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terror attacks.
The Boy Scouts of America, Port Authority Police Officers, Neil Levin’s and Richard Pearlman’s family were in attendance as well to remember DeCota and give tribute his life.
The tree dedicated was an Arborvitae, which translated means “tree of life,” and can grow up to 30 feet high and 10 feet wide at its base.
“We are only here temporarily,” said Councilman Peter Koo (R-Flushing). “The tree will be here for hundreds of years.”
Reach Intern Rebecca Sesny at rsesny@queenstribune.com or (718) 357-7400, Ext. 128.