Flushing intersection co-named for longtime community advocate Arthur O’Meally

The corner of Union Street and 32nd Avenue in Flushing now bears the name “Arthur O’Meally Place” following a street co-naming ceremony on Saturday, May 31, honoring the late community advocate and longtime North Flushing resident.

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng, State Senator John Liu and Council Member Sandra Ung were joined by Community Board 7 members and O’Meally’s family and friends. The event celebrated O’Meally’s decades of civic engagement, environmental stewardship and dedication to preserving the borough’s history.

“People like Arthur O’Meally are the unsung heroes of our city,” Ung said. “He didn’t hold office or seek the spotlight, but his tireless efforts helped shape the fabric of this community. Street co-namings like this are about preserving the memory of people who devoted their lives to making our neighborhoods stronger.”

O’Meally, a Cold War veteran and active member of the North Flushing Civic Association, was known for his quiet leadership and hands-on approach to community service. He volunteered for local beautification projects, worked to preserve historic cemeteries, and maintained green spaces as a certified Citizen Pruner through the NYC Parks Department.

“Arthur O’Meally contributed greatly to the community, and this street co-naming will make sure that the important contributions he made are not forgotten,” said Meng. “He also helped preserve and promote our borough’s rich history through his work with the Queens Historical Society.”

As a trustee of the Queens Historical Society, O’Meally helped care for the Wyckoff-Snedeker and Moore-Jackson cemeteries, two of the oldest burial sites in Queens. His preservation efforts were recognized citywide, including a Civic Achievement Award during African American Heritage Month in 2005 and a Declaration of Honor from then-Queens Borough President Claire Shulman in 1999.

Liu said O’Meally’s life exemplified a deep commitment to service.

“From his love and care of our neighborhood green spaces to making sure our historic cemeteries receive the dignity and respect they deserve, he lived a life of service that will be felt for generations,” Liu said.

O’Meally’s wife of more than 55 years, Millicent O’Meally—a longtime Community Board 7 member—spoke at the ceremony, recalling her husband as a gentle presence on the front porch of their early-20th century Flushing home, quietly dedicated to his community until his final days.

Ung thanked the O’Meally family for sharing his legacy with the neighborhood.

“This sign will remind future generations that one person’s quiet commitment can leave a lasting mark on an entire community,” Ung said.