Dec. 9, 2015 By Christian Murray
Long-time community leader Al Volpe passed away today. He was 90.
Volpe, who lived in Woodside, was a long-time member of Community Board 2 and a former board member of the neighborhood group Woodside on the Move.
He was active in transportation matters; earlier this year a traffic light was installed on Skillman Avenue and 51st Street after his lobbying.
“Al Volpe was a force to be reckoned with when he took on an issue he was passionate about,” said Patrick O’Brien, chairman of Community Board 2, this evening.
“He was like the Energizer Bunny, running around and advocating even when he had health issues,” O’Brien said. “He embodied the Jesuit motto: ‘Man for others.’”
Volpe, who is survived by his wife Cay, wrote many letters to the editor at various Queens newspapers expressing his opinions.
In recent times those letters have dealt with bicyclists. He held the opinion that bicyclists failed to comply with the rules of the road and were a danger to both motorists and pedestrians. He would attend the monthly 108 Police Precinct meetings and tell the commanding officer to clamp down on wayward riders.
O’Brien said that Volpe would lobby elected officials and government agencies and would never take no for an answer.
“He educated people that they should express their voice and fight for what they believe in.”
Al Volpe (brown coat) at Woodside on the Move Christmas Tree Lighting Photo source: Jimmy Van Bramer 2012
