Stadium Avenue named after Ranieri

Al Ranieri, a longtime civic activist, will be memorialized with a street naming in Spencer Estate.

Ampere Avenue between Stadium and Ohm avenues will now bear the name “Alfred J. Ranieri Way” in honor of Ranieri, a longtime attorney and civic leader who passed away on July 10, 2009. Ranieri was a one-time candidate for the NYS assembly and for borough president in 1969. He was appointed president of the New York City Tax Commission by Mayor John Lindsay in 1973.

The renaming of the street was pushed by Al Carena, president of the Spencer Estate Civic Association. It was approved by Community Board 10 and passed the City Council as part of a street renaming bill sponsored by Councilman Jimmy Vacca. Mayor Bloomberg signed the street renaming into law on Monday, December 20.

“Renaming a street is one of the greatest tributes that we can bestow on those who gave so much of their lives for the betterment of the community,” Vacca said, when the law which also named streets in honor of Pelham Gardens resident Lou Salvati and Morris Park leader Rocky Miano took effect. “I know Al, Rocky, and Lou personally and all three men put their communities first, dedicating countless hours to providing a voice and a face for their neighbors. Soon, people will be able to walk down the blocks where each man lived and be reminded of the sacrifices he made on behalf of his community.”

The street has already been officially renamed. It is expected that in the spring a sign will be unveiled in honor of Ranieri. He was a long-time officer, acting president of the Spencer Estate Civic Association, and a columnist in the Bronx Times Reporter.

“It has been signed by the Mayor into law, and now we are going to wait until the weather warms up to unveil the sign,” Carena said. “He was our interim president and my vice-president in the association for six years.”

Ranieri was born on February 17, 1924. His father John owned a grocery store on Zerega Avenue, where his mother Anna also worked. He attended James Monroe High School and then enlisted in the U.S. Navy during World War II where he served in the Seabees.

After being honorably discharged, he attended Long Island University and Brooklyn Law School before being admitted to the bar in 1949. In 1999, he was recognized by the Bronx County Bar Association for 50 years of outstanding professionalism. During his 50 years of living in Spencer Estate, he also served as president of the Homeowners Association of Eastchester Bay, a civic organization that represented Spencer Estate for a short time.

He was remembered by his daughter Riana as a loving father, as well as honest lawyer, theater aficionado, and avid tennis player. She said that the family is happy that he will be forever memorialized with a street renaming.

“We are very appreciative to Councilman Jimmy Vacca who worked so hard on this, the community, and the city of New York,” Riana Raneri said. “I think that my family will always be honored now that the street has been renamed Alfred J. Ranieri Way.”

Riana Raneri also thanked Al Carena and the SECA, where the street renaming idea originated.