Kenneth Rudzewick, CEO of Maspeth Federal Savings Bank, and a member of the Juniper Park Civic Association, has suggested a name for the new roller hockey rink under construction at Juniper Valley Park. In a letter to Frank Principe, Chairman of Community Board Five, Mr. Rudzewick writes, “Three Fire Fighters were killed in December trying to rescue a woman in a Starett City apartment house. Their attempt epitomized the term “Heroic Effort.” One of the young men, James Bohan, was raised and lived on 80th Street in Middle Village. He attended St.Margaret’s and St. Francis Prep. and spent many an afternoon at Juniper Valley Park.
It would be very fitting to name the new rink in his memory. He was a well rounded athlete and excelled in hockey.”
Mr. Rudzewick has written a tribute to Firefighter Bohan on page 24 of this issue.
Community Board Five must make a recommendation to the Parks Department who will make the final determination. Both the Juniper Park Civic Association and the Councilman Ognibene support the proposed name. JPCA President, Bob Holden said that naming the rink after Firefighter Bohan would be a fitting tribute to a true Middle Village hero who sacrificed his life to save another.