The memory of the beloved late City Council Member Paul Vallone will live on in the Northeast Queens community following the co-naming of a Flushing street and a Bayside school in his honor.
On Saturday, Oct. 19, the intersection of 32nd Ave and 157th Street outside of Bowne Park was officially co-named “Paul A. Vallone Way” during a well-attended ceremony. Several elected officials who worked alongside Vallone and his family and friends gathered to pay tribute.
Vallone represented Northeast Queens in the city council from 2014 to 2021 before serving as the deputy commissioner of the NYC Department of Veterans’ Services. Throughout his political tenure, he gained the reputation of a public servant devoted to improving parks, schools, senior services, and animal advocacy, among other causes.
“Everyone in District 19 remembers Paul and the happiness that radiated from him. He will never be forgotten, and this street co-naming will serve as a constant reminder of the life that we lost,” said City Council Member Vickie Paladino, who organized the ceremony alongside Vallone’s former Chief of Staff, Jonathan Szott.
Other elected officials in attendance included New York State Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. Representatives Tom Suozzi and Grace Meng, State Senator John Liu, State Assembly Member Edward Braunstein and City Council Members Linda Lee and Sandra Ung.
“Paul Vallone was the best of the best, and I am honored to have called him a true friend,” said Attorney General James. “To Paul, service was more than a choice, it was a calling. He approached every situation with open ears and treated all people with compassion, respect, and grace. His loss is felt deeply, both in his beloved Queens and throughout New York City.”
It was noted that Vallone’s dedication to improving Bowne Park made the location of the street renaming an obvious choice. During his tenure, Vallone advocated for renovations to the park’s pond and plaza. When the park reopened in 2023 with refurbished bocce courts and more inviting seating, Vallone attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside Paladino, who saw the project through to completion.
“Paul knew how to get people together, how to listen to both sides of an issue, and reach a compromise. He was especially devoted to Bowne Park and thanks to his determination, it is now a jewel in the city parks system,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz.
Earlier in the week, the Bay Terrace School was renamed the Paul Vallone Community Campus with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 17. That ceremony was also widely attended by elected officials, including Borough President Donovan Richards.
“Paul Vallone was more than just a colleague to me — he was like a brother and someone who inspired me every single day to be a better elected official and human being. I miss him terribly, but I can’t help but smile knowing his legacy will live on in the community he loved so much through this street co-naming and other tributes in his honor,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr.
Vallone passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack at 54 years old at the start of 2024. He is survived by his wife, Anna-Marie, and their three children.
“We appreciate all the love, support, and recognition for Paul’s service to the community. Paul and I spent so much time with our children enjoying Bowne Park and this was the perfect location for this tribute,” said Anna-Marie Vallone.
Last month, a new full-service animal center opened in Ridgewood. It was named the Paul A. Vallone Queens Animal Care Center in recognition of Vallone’s animal advocacy.
