In a heartfelt tribute to a beloved neighborhood figure, city officials, family members and community leaders gathered Saturday, April 19, to co-name the intersection of Queens Boulevard and 84th Drive in Briarwood after the late Jack “Giacomo” Virdone, the longtime owner of Alba’s Pizzeria and a pillar of the local community.
The new street sign, now reading “Jack ‘Giacomo’ Virdone Way,” commemorates a man remembered for his generosity, civic dedication, and enduring ties to the neighborhood.
“Jack was the heart of Briarwood, and this is how we remember him today,” said Council Member James F. Gennaro, who hosted the ceremony. “He brought people together and taught the value of giving selflessly. His legacy continues with every life he touched.”
Virdone, an immigrant from Sicily, owned and operated Alba’s Pizzeria since 1962. He passed away on March 30, 2020, but remains a household name for generations of Briarwood residents who visited his restaurant not just for the pizza—but for the warmth he extended to every customer, especially those in need.
“My father poured his soul into his pizza restaurant,” said Sebastian Virdone, Jack’s eldest son. “But it wasn’t about the food—it was about the people. Jack fed those who couldn’t afford a meal, no questions asked, and donated to schools, religious groups and community causes.”
Saturday’s ceremony was the first official street co-naming in Briarwood’s history, according to Rosa Gana, Chair of the Hispanic American Civic Council.
“This is more than a dedication,” Gana said. “It’s a celebration of a life well lived and a legacy that will continue to shine on this very corner for generations to come.”
The ceremony drew dozens of attendees, including Community Board 8 Chair Martha Taylor, local clergy, and members of the Lions Club and Samaritan Village—organizations Virdone regularly supported. His family, including his wife Vinceza, three children, and grandchildren, shared emotional memories.
“He walked this block thousands of times,” said his son John. “He greeted everyone. He never turned away someone in need.”
Melissa, Virdone’s oldest granddaughter, described her grandfather as “the most generous person you’d ever meet” and said everyone who encountered him left with a smile.
Friends and community members echoed that sentiment. “There was no such thing as a stranger to Jack,” said Father Tony, a longtime friend. “He was always the first to step forward, to give, to help—without ever needing to be asked.”
For Virdone’s daughter Mary, the day was a powerful reminder of her father’s work ethic and compassion. “He worked until he was 78 years old,” she said. “He loved helping the community, the schools, the courthouses—everyone.”
Jack “Giacomo” Virdone’s name will now live permanently in the neighborhood he helped build, serving as a visible symbol of kindness, service and community spirit.
“Jack reminded us all that one person, with love and heart, can truly make a difference,” Sebastian said. “If he were here, he’d probably be cracking jokes in Spanish and handing out a slice of pizza—just happy to see everyone together.”
