A street corner at Union Turnpike and Myrtle Avenue is now known as Frederick T. Haller Jr. Way in honor of the longtime Glendale and western Queens community leader.
Hundreds of community members joined local elected officials and friends and family members of Haller Jr. on Saturday, September 12 for the official unveiling on the renamed street.
“Frederick T. Haller was a model citizen,” said City Councilmember Elizabeth Crowley, who helped push for the street renaming in the City Council. “He worked to improve the lives of so many individuals in our community because of his belief in the value and dignity of the people. Glendale is a better place because of Frederick, who spent his life working tirelessly on behalf of all those who reside here.”
Haller was a staple in the community, helping organize the first Home School Association at Sacred Heart School, Glendale, Chair of the Greater Ridgewood Historical Society, Founder of the Greater Ridgewood YMCA and Chair of Queens Community Board 5 from 1972 to 1983. He was also a member of the Board of Trustees of Wyckoff Heights Hospital for 40 years and served as Chair from 1982 to 1998. Haller remained active in the community until his death in 2007.
“Frederick Haller showed endless generosity to our community through his charitable endeavors,” said Kathy Masi, who is the President of the Glendale Civic Association and Community Board 5 member. “He is greatly missed by all the people in the Glendale community who are fortunate enough to have known him. He was a great man who not only left an impact on our community but a family dedicated to service for the greater good of their communities.”