Two streets, one in Richmond Hill and the other in Glendale, will be renamed after Nancy Cataldi and Frederick D. Haller, two notable members of their respective communities.
The City Council passed legislation on June 30 to rename 109th Street between 86th Street and Jamaica Avenue “Nancy Cataldi Way.” The Union Turnpike Mall between Woodhaven Boulevard and Myrtle Avenue in Glendale will be renamed “Frederick D. Haller Way.”
“Both Nancy Cataldi and Frederick Haller demonstrate how each of us, when we work hard and remain dedicated, can make lasting change in our community,” said Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, who was instrumental in pushing for the legislation. “That is why I believe it is important to recognize those who are proactive about improving the lives of all our neighbors and documenting our history.”
Cataldi was a long-time president of the Richmond Hill Historical Society, which she helped to form with other residents in 1997. She pushed elected officials and the Landmarks Preservation Commission to recognize the remarkable Victorian homes that make up Richmond Hill.
She also refurbished and restored her own Victorian style house in the neighborhood. With the help of historian Stanley Cogan, the house received one of the first “Queensmark” Awards for historical, architectural and cultural merit from the Queens Historical Society.
“I think that this is fitting and proper and so well deserved,” Councilmember Eric Ulrich said about the renaming. “Nancy gave so much to the community. This is an opportunity for the community to give something back to her.”
Cataldi was also a photographer whose work has appeared in such prestigious publications as Rolling Stone, People, and the New York Times. She also co-authored two books with historian Carl Ballenas.
Haller helped organize the first Home School Association at Sacred Heart School in Glendale. He founded the Great Ridgewood YMCA and was the Chairman of Community Board (CB) 5. He was also president of the Glendale Kiwanis Club and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Wyckoff Heights Hospital from 1982-1998. It was the longest chairmanship of the hospital.
“It’s appropriate,” CB 5 Chairman Vinny Arcuri said about the renaming. “He was very active in that area… He was very charitable and a genuinely good person.”
In addition, Haller was charter member of the Monsignor Sherman Council, Knights of Columbus, and Chairman of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society. He also served as an attorney of the Greater Ridgewood-Glendale Community.
According to Crowley’s chief of staff, Lydon Sleeper, they are hoping to officially rename the streets this coming September.
