A western Queens street now bears the name of one of the community’s longtime supporters.
Friends, family and City Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer helped rename a street at 39th Place in Long Island City in honor of longtime community activist Anthony Suraci.
During the ceremony, which took place on February 20, Suraci’s son, Joe, 58, told the 40 people in attendance how proud the family was to have the street renamed after his late father.
“We are very proud of it because our father did a lot for his community in his lifetime, and he deserves this honor,” Joseph said.
Anthony Suraci was born in Italy and grew up in upstate New York before he moved to Sunnyside in his early 20s. During the next 60 years, he called Queens his home and was involved in many community organizations, including serving as the president of the Thompson Hill Civic Association and the Woodside Republican Club.
In addition, he served as a Republican district leader, a cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 221, and was the driving force behind starting the United Republicans of Western Queens (URWQ).
“URWQ was involved in a lot of charitable work,” Joe said. “They distributed surplus food to the needy communities and there was also an annual holiday toy drive to the New York Foundling Hospital in Manhattan.”
In addition, Anthony Suraci also raised a lot of money for Manhattan College where he received his degree in business, according to Joe.
“My father was a Certified Public Accountant and he helped a lot of people who came in to his office for taxes and financial advice,” said Joe. “He was enthusiastic about things and did anything to help out his community.”
Joe said he also helps his community as much as he can by donating clothes to the Salvation Army or being involved in Middle Village community organizations, where he resides.
“My father encouraged public service and we all try to follow in his footsteps,” Joe said.
