May 9, 2014 By Christian Murraty
A prominent Woodside street corner is going to be co-named after the late Walter McCaffrey, who represented the 26th district in the city council for almost two decades.
City officials will be co-naming the corner of 61st Street and Woodside Avenue “Walter McCaffrey Place.” There will be an official renaming ceremony on Saturday, May 17.
McCaffrey died last July after suffering from health issues that were complicated by a car accident.
McCaffrey, a Woodside resident, represented the district (which covers Sunnyside, Woodside and Long Island City) from 1985 through 2001. In 2001, he was among the first city council members who had to step down due to term limits.
“We have lost a champion and a good friend,” Joe Conley, chairman of Community Board 2, said at the time of McCaffrey’s death. “His wit, humor and intelligence were unmatched,” Conley said at the time, adding that “he was still very involved in the community right up to the end.”
McCaffrey served as chairman of Community Board 2 prior to being elected into office.
“Walter was one of the smartest and most clever elected officials in the history of Western Queens,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said.
