One of the borough’s successful businesspeople was remembered with a street renaming in his honor recently.
Alfredo Thiebaud, the founder of the family icie business Delicioso Coco Helado in Morrisania, was honored with a street co-naming at East 161st Street and St. Ann’s Avenue on Tuesday, September 19.
The street sign was placed near the headquarters of his business, and was unveiled three years to the day after his passing, said his daughter Sophia Pastora.
A large group of dignitaries including his extended family and elected officials took part in unveiling the sign for the Honduran immigrant who was remembered by his daughter, employees and elected officials for his generosity to the community.
Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. called him a shining example of living the ‘American Dream.’
“Alfredo Thiebaud was a humble immigrant, who started his small business with several pushcarts, and became a staple of summer in New York City through hard work and connecting with the community,” said Diaz. “He never forgot his humble beginnings, giving back to the same community that embraced him, supporting little league teams, youth groups and other community organizations.”
The borough president thanked Councilman Rafael Salamanca for passing the legislation that allowed for the posthumous honor for Thiebaud, who he called a ‘great man and great humanitarian.’
Salamanca said that Thiebaud never stopped giving back.
“We all knew him as the ‘coquito man’ but he was so much more, donating his product and his time to dozens of community organizations over the years,” said Salamanca. “It’s why it’s only right we commemorate him with the renaming of a street.”
Assemblyman Michael Blake said he himself had fond memories enjoying Thiebaud’s icie products in his youth.
“Alfredo Thiebaud’s contributions are immeasurable as people across the Bronx and our city have jobs, homes, ability to pay for school and healthcare and live out the American Dream,” said Blake. “I remember walking up Third Avenue as a teenager after Saturday church basketball games, and, it was a must that we all stopped along the way.”
Lives are still being transformed because of Thiebaud, said Blake, adding that his economic and social impact lives on among all of us.
Pastora said that her father loved the community and loved to give back.
He was especially fond of NYPD causes, evidenced by the fact that representatives from the 40th and 42nd precincts attended the street co-naming, she said.
For events like the annual National Night Out Against Crime, he would donate icies and hot dogs, she said.
Pastora said Thiebaud’s family attended the event, including his brother, sister-in-law, her mom and brother, his grandchildren and one of his great-grandchildren.
“Our family is humbled, honored and thrilled at the same time,” said Pastora.
Julia Alicea, Thiebaud’s secretary for 15 years, said that he provided jobs for people, and that occasionally people came in off the street without money and he got them started with their own business selling icies.
