Council Member Elizabeth Crowley proposed two street co-namings in Middle Village and Maspeth to be approved by the City Council in a meeting today.
Maspeth Avenue between 61st and 64th Street will be be co-named Frank Kowalinski Way. Kowalinski became the first U.S. Army soldier of Polish descent to be killed in combat in World War I in 1918. In Maspeth, the local veterans post, Post 4, is named after Kowalinski in honor of his service.
In Middle Village, along 71st Street from Eliot Avenue South to the railroad, the street will be co-named Bishop Joseph M. Sullivan Way. The Bishop served at Our Lady of Hope since its opening in 1960 until his death. He also was involved with Catholic Charities, hospitals, inter-religious and secular organizations.
“Recognizing and memorializing the dedication of these two men to their country and community is truly a privilege,” Crowley said. “Queens is both fortunate and unique in that it has a history of such strong public servants, whether they are soldiers or clergymen. It is only right to post their names for all to see in the neighborhoods they have made such an impact on. That way their legacy can live on for generations to come.”
