By Forum Staff
On Sunday, March 3, City Councilman Jim Gennaro (D-Hillcrest) hosted a street co-naming ceremony honoring the life and legacy of former Assemblyman Michael Simanowitz. Gennaro was joined by Queens Borough President Donovan Richards; Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz; State Sen. Toby Ann Stavisky; State Sen. Leroy Comrie; Assembly Member Sam Berger; Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato; and members of the Simanowitz family at the street co-naming ceremony in which the intersection of Main Street and 75th Avenue was co-named “Michael Simanowitz Way” after the long-time public servant.
Gennaro authored the bill to co-name the street after he was approached by Berger with the request. Berger also worked with Simanowitz family and community leaders to identify a street, garner the necessary support and presented it to Community Board 8. The motion to rename the street in Simanowitz’s honor passed unanimously through both the community board and the council last year.
Simanowitz dedicated more than two decades of his life to public service, having served as chief of staff to former Assemblywoman Nettie Mayersohn for 15 years before succeeding his predecessor in 2011. Prior to his election, Simanowitz served as the commanding officer for the 107th Auxiliary Police Unit, earning the rank of Deputy Inspector. As an auxiliary officer, he helped in the rescue efforts following Sept. 11, as well as during the Northeast Blackout of 2003.
As member of the Assembly, Simanowitz sponsored and passed a law that required minors to have parental consent before getting a body piercing, and another that banned the use of unclaimed bodies as cadavers in medical or mortuary schools without the written consent of a spouse or next of kin, or unless the deceased had registered as a body donor.
“Despite trying to keep a relatively low profile, Michael Simanowitz was well known and beloved by the community,” Gennaro said. “I am proud to have introduced the legislation to co-name this intersection last year. It is my hope that anytime someone comes down Main Street and 75th Avenue, they are reminded of the great legacy he leaves behind. It is an honor to be here today, alongside the Simanowitz family and colleagues, to pay tribute to a local legend. I thank Assembly Member Sam Berger for coming with me to this request and making this his top priority since assuming office.”
“Assmebly Member Simanowitz was a tireless advocate for his community and for Queens as a whole, and it was a privilege to serve alongside him in my previous role as Borough President,” said Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “It is a pleasure to be here as the borough’s District Attorney to see this honor bestowed upon such an incredible person. Michael cared deeply for his community and for the great State of New York. Generations will now see his name at the intersection of 75th Avenue and Main Street – a fitting tribute to his legacy built on his decades of service.”
Simanowitz died at the age of 46 in 2017 due to cancer, likely related to Sept. 11 rescue efforts.
