Vincent Iannece Honored With Street Renaming

City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr. speaks to a member of Iannece's family before the start of the ceremonies dedicating the intersection of the corner of 32nd Street and Astoria Boulevard at the apex of Columbus Triangle to Vincent Iannece, community activist and father of Jerry Iannece (far R.), former Community Board 11 chairman. Among those also awaiting the start of the cermonies are state Senator George Onorato, Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (at Vallone Jr.'s r.).

City Councilmember Peter F. Vallone Jr. unveiled a street sign on Sunday, September 30, officially renaming the corner of 32nd Street and Astoria Boulevard at the apex of Columbus Triangle, directly in front of the statue of Columbus, Cav. Vincenzo Iannece Corner after Vincent Iannece, who devoted his life to serving his neighborhood. The site, for more than 75 years the terminus of the annual Columbus Parade, a fitting tribute for a man who contributed so much to Italian- American organizations and causes. Iannece had presided at the parade since he founded the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens in 1972.

The late Vincent Iannece.

"To be honest, I am reluctant to rename streets, but in the case of Vinny Iannece, he deserves the honor of having a slice of the community dedicated to him, having dedicated himself so thoroughly to it," Vallone said. "I hope people will look at this sign for years to come and remember what it means to serve one's neighbors."

Among the elected officials and Italian- American community leaders on hand to honor Iannece at the event were former City Council Speaker Peter Vallone Sr., Congressmember Carolyn Maloney and state Senator George Onorato, Queens County Clerk Gloria D'Amico and representatives from the New York Italian Consulate and local Italian groups. A large crowd gathered to watch the unveiling, the final product of a year-long effort led by former Community Board 11 Chairman Jerry Iannece, Vincent's son.

Vincent Iannece founded the Federation of Italian American Organizations of Queens, an umbrella group that allowed the many different clubs and groups to work with each other. W ith the help of the FIAOQ, he helped to organize the Queens Columbus Day Parade, which ends at the location that now bears his name. Iannece also founded the St. Michael Society and was an active member of the Astoria Civic Association. He was appointed a member of Community Board 1 in 1993 and served until his death in 2005.

(R. to l.): City Councilmember Peter Vallone Jr., Angie Markham, Federation of Italian-American Organizations of Queens president and Vincent Iannece's daughter, and Jerry Iannece, former Community Board 11 chairman and Vincent Iannece's son (l.), hold the sign renaming the corner of 32nd Street and Astoria Boulevard at the apex of Columbus Triangle, directly in front of the statue of Columbus for Vincent Iannece, longtime community activist and member of Community Board 1. Looking on from rear are Congressmember Carolyn Maloney (l.) and Queens County Clerk Gloria D'Amico.

The dedication took place on the Feast Day of St. Michael the Archangel, the patron saint of Senerchia in the Province of Avellino, Italy, where Iannece was born in 1925. Iannece served as an Italian Marine and police officer until he moved to the United States in 1951. He won many awards during his years of service in both countries. For his dedication and accomplishments, during his lifetime, the Republic of Italy bestowed the title of Cavaliere on Iannece, and he was given a City Council Proclamation during Italian Culture Month in 2004 by Vallone Jr.

"This man exemplifies dedication and service. I was proud to honor him years ago, and I'm proud to honor him now,"