Walter McCaffrey Campus (PS 343)
Dec. 19, 2014 By Michael Florio
The new elementary school on 42nd Street in Sunnyside has been renamed The Walter McCaffrey Campus.
McCaffrey, who was born and raised in Woodside, represented the 26th Council district—that Jimmy Van Bramer represents today–between 1985 and 2001.
McCaffrey died July 10, 2013, at the age of 64 as a result of ongoing health issues made worse by a car accident two months prior to his death.
This morning former Community Board 2 chair Joe Conley and Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer went to PS 343 (45-45 42nd Street) to formally change the name of the new school and unveil a plaque in the late councilman’s honor.
“We have lost a champion and a good friend,” said Conley, shortly after McCaffrey’s death last year. “His wit, humor and intelligence were unmatched,” he said, adding that “he was still very involved in the community right up to the end.”
Meanwhile, Van Bramer referred to McCaffrey as a “political giant.”
Prior to being elected in 1985, McCaffrey served as chairman of Community Board 2.
In May, the corner of 61st and Woodside Avenue in Queens, New York, was renamed “Walter McCaffrey Place” in his honor.
