STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — City Councilman Joe Borelli and members and friends of the Alioto family braved the cold and gathered at the corner of Wilson Avenue and Armstrong Avenue to rename the Great Kills intersection Firefighter Thomas J. Alioto Way on Friday morning, Feb. 16.
On hand to bear witness to the heartfelt commemorative were Rep. Nicole Malliotakis and representatives from the offices of Borough President Vito Fossella, Richmond County District Attorney Michael McMahon and Assemblyman Michael Tannousis — as well as members of the FDNY.
Alioto died of a Sept.11-related illness.
In addition to being presented with the street sign, the Alioto family also received a framed certificate of recognition by James Clinton on behalf of McMahon.
From the left, Ashley Alioto, Alyssa Alioto, and Amanda Alioto are shown at the ceremony. (Photo courtesy of Frank Rapacciuolo)Staten Island Advance
Thomas or “Tommy,” as he was affectionately called, was remembered as a great family man, a brave firefighter and a big practical joker.
His family and friends reminisced over fond memories and the jokes he would play on family members and fellow members of the firehouse.
But above all, those who knew and loved him remembered their hero as someone who was always willing to help others — going so far as to open his home to strangers who were alone and without family on a holiday, or show up at his daughter’s dorm when he sensed there was a need to talk.
Borelli said: “If you would have told me on Sept. 11 2001, that so many years later I would be standing here co-naming a street for another person who succumbed to illness from that tragic day, I would never have believed you. I am honored to learn of these brave members of our community who were willing to sacrifice themselves in service of others and co-name streets in their honor. Tommy was a valued member of our community and certainly the FDNY, as is a testament to the amount of people here today on this cold…
Read the full article here
Leave a Reply