Joe Blandino Way (Bronx)
Present name:Bogart Avenue
Location:Between Morris Park Avenue and Van Nest Avenue
Honoree: Joe Blandino (1964-2018), widely known as Big Joe, was an alumnus of Iona Preparatory School class of 1982. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science in 1991. His family lived in the Bronx until they moved to Florida when he was 17 years old. While in Florida, he worked at the family-owned Expresso Pizzeria, was a part of the Treasure Coast Opera Society, and coached football at John Carrol High School. When he was 23, he moved back to the Bronx where he was a well-known photographer and video editor for Martone Brothers’ Photography for over 30 years. He was very involved in his children’s schooling, playing Santa Claus every year at their school during Christmas, volunteered with the drama club, was a member and president of the Father’s Club, and volunteered as a chef for school barbecues and other charity events. He was also a member and served as an umpire for the Bronx Umpire Alliance, was a member of the Italian-American Club, the Morris Park Association, the Boy Scouts of America, and the Kiwanis Club and also volunteered at Calvary Hospital. (Gjonaj)
LL:2018/139