Joseph Calabria Way (Staten Island)
Present name:Barlow Avenue
Location:Between Richmond Avenue and Wainwright Avenue
Honoree: Joseph Calabria (1930-2017), after serving in the Korean War, worked as a longshoreman on the Manhattan waterfront. His performance resulted in his promotion to foreman, pier supervision and, finally, hiring boss. He served as a Union Delegate for Local 856 of the International Longshoremen’s Association for several years. He was affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Barlow Avenue” by his friends and neighbors. He was always willing to help out with advice, labor and or lending a tool for working around the house, repairing a car or any other task. He could always be counted on to help the kids in the neighborhood by fixing their bikes and putting air in their tires, footballs or basketballs. In the 1990’s he became active with the Cpl A.F. Kivlehan Chapter of the Korean War Veterans and was its Commanding officer for 18 years. During his tenure he was instrumental in the renaming of the Richmond Parkway to the Korean War Veterans Parkway and in the renaming of the PS 6 School to the Allan F. Kivlehan School. He also helped to establish the Korean Veterans Memorial on Ocean Terrace and the Allan F. Kivlehan Park in New Dorp. He often visited Staten Island schools to speak with students about the Korean War. He would say, “If you like your freedom, thank a vet,” which became a tagline for him. (Borelli)
LL:2018/139