Queens Street To Be Renamed For Neighborhood 'Icon'

EAST ELMHURST, QUEENS — A street co-naming ceremony will honor now-deceased Elmhurst Park resident Patrick Beckles this Saturday, according to an announcement from Councilman Francisco Moya (D-Elmhurst).

Moya will lead the 11 a.m. ceremony this weekend at the corner of Ditmars Boulevard and 31st Drive, when Patrick Beckles Way will become a permanent part of the neighborhood.

Beckles died Feb. 16, 2017 after decades of service to his borough. He was a retired civil engineer for the New York City Department of Environmental Protection, a longtime member of Queens Community Board 3 member and commodore of The American Small Craft Association, a local nonprofit dedicated to boating safety.

In a Twitter post announcing the ceremony, Moya called Beckles an “East Elmhurst icon” and community “staple.” Many of Beckles’ friends and colleagues expressed their love for him in comments left on his online obituary page.

Beckles was also honored for his community service efforts last year following his death at age 89, according to the Queens Chronicle.

Photo courtesy of Google Maps