BY WILLIAM HARRIS
The corner of 254th Street and Union Turnpike is now known as “Jack Friedman Way,” following a co-naming ceremony on April 15 honoring the work of the former head of the Queens Chamber of Commerce up until his death three years ago.
Joining the family of Jack M. Friedman at the ceremony were Congresswoman Grace Meng, Congressman Tom Suozzi, state Senator Leroy G. Comrie, Assemblyman David Weprin and Councilman Barry S. Grodenchik, who sponsored the street renaming. Dozens of others were in attendance as well.
Friedman was at the forefront of advocating and advancing the growth of Queens businesses during his time as the executive director of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. In fact, he was a small business owner himself. Friedman owned a video store business before serving as then-Councilman (now Assemblyman) David Weprin’s chief of staff.
“Today we remember Jack Friedman & his many contributions to the people of #Queens & #NYC by renaming the corner of 254 St. & Union Tpke. ‘Jack Friedman Way.’ Thank you to all who worked to make this possible. May Jack’s memory be for a blessing always,” Grodenchik tweeted.
In addition to his work with Weprin and as executive director, Friedman spent much of his time volunteering for a number of civic groups in the borough. He served as president of the Northeast Queens Jewish Community Council, chair of the Economic Development Committee for Community Board 13 and was a board member for the Bellerose Jewish Center, Lifeline Center for Child Development and Services Now for Adult Persons (SNAP).
Friedman dedicated his entire life to helping out businesses throughout the borough. Being a longtime Queens resident, Friedman took pride in his work and as a result, he helped many people and businesses along the way.
