40th and Queens Blvd., adjacent to her restaurant Dazies
Oct. 23, 2017 By Christian Murray
About 150 people turned out Saturday for the co-naming of 40th Street/Queens Blvd to Lillian ‘Lily’ Gavin Place, in honor of the late owner of Dazies and long-time Sunnyside community leader.
Gavin, who passed away in July 2016 at the age of 85, opened Dazies Restaurant at 39-41 Queens Blvd in the early 1970s and then became heavily involved in the Sunnyside community.
“Lily Gavin was a Sunnyside icon who touched the lives of virtually every person in this neighborhood,” Councilman Jimmy Van Bramer said at the unveiling. “For over four decades, she served this community selflessly, championing its businesses and its people.”
Other elected leaders such as by Queens Borough President Melinda Katz, State Senator Mike Gianaris, Assemblywoman Cathy Nolan and Assemblyman Brian Barnwell also spoke.
Gavin served as president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce, where her accomplishments included helping to raise $450,000 for a much-needed revamp of the Sunnyside Arch.
Gavin was also heavily involved in neighborhood organizations, including the Sunnyside Drum Corps, Sunnyside Shines, Long Island City YMCA and Sunnyside Community Services, and frequently appeared as a central figure in the annual Kiwanis Flag Day parade. Gavin also served as an honorary director of the LaGuardia Community College Foundation.
“By renaming the street adjacent to Dazies in Lily’s honor, we are forever recognizing all that she accomplished for this neighborhood and her status as an iconic Sunnysider.”
Long-time friend Joe Conley speaking
