Dominic Castore was a community legend, and now the neighborhood is coming together to keep the legend alive by co-naming a stretch of Morris Park Avenue after him.
The unveiling of the street sign for “Dominic Castore Way,” on the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare between Bronxdale and Colden avenues will be one of the ways the community will remember the former Community Board 11 chairman and local activist, who passed away last November.
A ceremony, including a street sign unveiling, will take place at Colden and Morris Park Avenues, near the Community Board 11 office, on Saturday, Sept. 28 at noon.
Councilman Jimmy Vacca was able to get the street renaming approved by the City Council in May.
“When Dominic Castore passed away nearly a year ago, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would sponsor legislation to have a street in the Morris Park community co-named after him,” said Vacca.
“Dominic was one of the most dedicated community board chairmen and activists that I had ever met,” he said.
“The Morris Park community is indebted to the years of community service that he gave, and this street naming is a great honor to dedicate in his memory.”
Castore joined Community Board 11 in 1979 and spent 25 years as its chairman. He was also a co-founder and president of the Morris Park Community Association, and one of the early organizers of the Bronx Columbus Day Parade.
Community leaders remembered Castore as man who knew how to get things done, using the power of his arguments to persuade people on the issues.
“He was a facilitator not a dictator,” said former MPCA president Al D’Angelo. “He told people what he thought should be done and was able to get it done that way.”
D’Angelo added: “Rather than demand, he explained why he thought it was a good idea. He was so respected by everyone, and that was the reason he was so popular and able to get so much done.”
Castore helped improve local quality of life by working with multiple community organizations. He also chaired the Bronx Civilian Patrol Council, founded and commissioned the Morris Park Softball and Bronx Football Leagues, and coached the All American Youth Conference, the Pelham Parkway Little League and the Bronxchester Babe Ruth League.
MPCA president Tony Signorile said Castore was an neighborhood icon, and said he felt he was very deserving of the honor.
“I would call him a gentle giant, and he was always there to help people,” he said.
“I do miss him because I know what he accomplished for all those years in this community. You are not going to find any more like him.”
