As the sun shone through the stained glass windows, with every seat taken and an honor guard of court police and the street cordoned off, the funeral procession of crying friends and relatives took their seats to pay tribute to Queens County Clerk Gloria D’Amico.
As the monsignor took the microphone at Conception Church in Astoria, he explained to all of us that “D’Amico” in Italian means “friend” and “Gloria” is “of the angels.” Amazing how someone’s name can speak so perfectly to who they are. And the hundreds of people who attended her wake and funeral can attest to that too. I loved the story that the monsignor told about Gloria when she was a member of the fundraising committee for the church. He was going to dinner with her near the church.
As they walked through the room she stopped at many tables asking every person they met for donations. No one ever said no to her.
It was classic Gloria. There were few people she didn’t know. Her son, Lenny, who gave her eulogy, shared with us that when they were in Europe they even met people who knew his mom. She was the go-to person for so many, that when I left the church someone turned to me and said with a lost expression on his face, “Who do we go to now?”
I think that sums up how we all feel. As Lenny said, “She was everything to us and we were everything to her, she was bigger than life, a legend.”
The following have shared their memories of D’Amico
Senator Michael Gianaris:
“Gloria D’Amico’s life is a story about Astoria, about Queens and about New York. Because of her, all three places are better. Whether standing up for those less fortunate or simply fighting to get a new street light on a darkened street, Gloria was always there for us. Walking through the streets of Astoria, there is not a place that does not bear her imprint. Gloria dedicated her life to making our community more like a family, and if we were a family, she was unquestionably our matriarch. Without her sage advice and political wisdom, I would not be in the position I am today. Gloria is responsible for a generation of leaders and we owe her a debt of gratitude. I picture Gloria at her best: holding court at her beloved Taminent Democratic Club, standing in Astoria Park to kick off the Variety Boys & Girls Club’s annual benefit bearing her name, and most of all, with her loving family by her side.”
State Senator Toby Stavisky
“When my husband passed away Gloria was one of the first to call me and suggest I run for his seat. I consider her a friend whose judgment I trusted and a role model for people involved in their communities.”
Former Borough President Claire Shulman
“Gloria was very influential in the Democratic Party. Her loyalty to the party was unquestioned. I had dinner with Gloria frequently and always respected her opinions on subjects regarding matters within the government and the party. She was also a great cook. She made the best lasagna and my husband [Mel] loved it.”
Marie Gentile, long-time colleague and friend
“In the work place Gloria was not just a boss but a friend to all. When anything was done by her staff it was because they truly loved her. On many occasions if the staff worked late she would also stay and walk around cut-up fruit for us to eat. She would come out and make sure that the staff’s morale was upbeat by making conversation and cracking jokes. For myself I have very fond memories of our many shopping sprees and our trips to Atlantic City. One trip in particular to Atlantic City with Gloria Alosie, Mrs. D and myself, we had a terrible accident in Maryland and after the car was towed and she rented another car she looked at me and said, ‘Don’t call your family because we are still going to Atlantic City and we are going to have a good time,’ and we sure did. One day she wanted to go purchase meat at a warehouse in College Point for her family, for an upcoming holiday. As we approached the Cross Island there had been an accident and the bridge was closed so they were not allowing any traffic to go any further.
However Mrs. D ignored the signs and went up onto the grass and we went to the warehouse. Of course she had on her high heels and was dressed to the hilt as usual. I had to laugh to myself because as I looked over to my right, I saw Mrs. D pushing a 20-foot dolly with a 30-pound piece of beef on it. She said to me ‘Grab the other end and pull.’ Mrs. D had great body language — we could always tell when she was annoyed to extremely aggravated — once she began to twist her earrings you knew you might have to save someone’s life. We spoke very often, at least two times in the evening, and we would laugh about something that took place in the office or something someone said or she would give me advice about something in my personal life. I will always treasure the unique friendship that I was able to share with her. I am so thankful that she was a part of my life. She will always live in my heart.”
