An important figure in the Pelham Gardens community will be given a wonderful neighborhood honor this spring for his years of community service.
Louis Salvati, former president of the Chester Civic Improvement Organization and founder of the Eastchester/Gun Hill Road Business Association, will have a street named in his honor this spring.
The street he lived on, Mickle Avenue between Astor Avenue and Pelham Parkway North will also be known as Louis Salvati Way. The street naming will be an honor for the work Salvati did for the Pelham Parkway area.
Salvati, a World War II U.S. Air Force veteran and Purple Heart recipient, passed away in August of 2010 at the age of 88. Councilman Jimmy Vacca announced on Monday, December 20 that the bill he sponsored to name the street after Salvati was approved by the New York City Council and signed by Mayor Bloomberg.
“To rename a street after someone is such a wonderful honor that we can give to an individual who gave so much of their lives to their community,” said Vacca. “I knew Louis very well, and it wasn’t a secret in regards to how much time he dedicated in providing a good face for his neighborhood.”
Salvati was raised in the Bronx and lived in Pelham Gardens for over 60 years. He served as president of the Chester Civic Improvement Association for 10 years. Community Board 11 district manager John Fratta knew Salvati very well and was grateful for all the work he provided for the district.
“Lou really was a great guy to say the least,” said Fratta. “He was active in the Pelham Gardens community for so long and he really served as the go-to person if something ever went wrong in the neighborhood. He made sure that any problem was taken care of immediately.”
Vincenza Salvati was married to Louis for over 50 years. She still lives in the same home on Mickle Avenue and when she found out the news of the street renaming, she was so proud of her husband.
“He was never home. He did more work for the neighborhood then he did in our house,” Vincenza joked. “But if he can see our street being named after him, he would be as proud as I am. He really dedicated his time to improving our community and this honor shows how much he really did.”
Mickle Avenue is set to receive its other name, Louis Salvati Way, as soon as the winter is over and the weather gets warmer.
