By Jeremy Walsh
Community Board 2 voted unanimously in favor of the renaming, which was brought forward by Joseph Suraci, Anthony's son.”It was kind of emotional when they finally approved it,” Joseph Suraci, a Middle Village attorney, said. “I remember all the things he did and he did for me. He was my inspiration, too.”Joseph Suraci said his parents lived on 39th Place between 47th and 48th avenues for about 60 years. The elder Suraci died in September 2006 after battling Alzheimer's disease.”The last couple of years they were staying with my sister out on Long Island,” he said. “He always used to say, 'I want to go home,' because he did love the area.'”Joseph Suraci said his father served as president of the Thompson Hill Civic Association, president of the Woodside Republican Club, and cubmaster of Cub Pack 221, which met at PS 199 in Sunnyside.On the political front, Anthony Suraci was the Republican district leader in the 37th Assembly District for several years in the 1990s, Joseph Suraci said.He also helped organize the United Republicans of Western Queens, a club which met between 1984 and 2000. Joseph Suraci said the group donated surplus food to the needy, contributed to annual holiday toy drives for years and donated clothes to homeless veterans.”He was probably in his mid-80s and doing this stuff,” Joseph Suraci said. “He had me march with him in the Flag Day parade, from 39th up to 50th Street. He was 85, 86 and still doing that.”Reach reporter Jeremy Walsh by e-mail at jwalsh@timesledger.com or by phone at 718-229-0300, Ext. 154.
