Family and friends of Jim McQuade, an active member of the Throggs Neck community throughout his life until his death last year, gathered on Monday to memorialize him with a street co-naming ceremony in the neighborhood.
Coined “Mr. Throggs Neck” by his daughter Jackie McQuade, Jim McQuade was involved in many organizations and agencies throughout the East Bronx. He started the Throggs Neck Volunteer Ambulance Corp., was a member of Bronx Community Board 10, a founding member of the Throggs Neck BID, owned the Schuyler Hill Funeral Home and spearheaded the annual Throggs Neck 9/11 memorial service during his life, according to Jackie McQuade. She said he also was involved with the local FDNY ladder, as well as local hospitals, churches, schools and sports programs.
“He was ‘Mr. Throggs Neck,’ and that’s what we always said,” Jackie McQuade added.
The street formerly known as Sommer Place is now also known as Jim McQuade Way. He died on May 12, 2022 at the age of 75.
Tamara Bonet-Cardona, the communications director for New York City Councilmember Marjorie Velázquez, told the Bronx Times on Tuesday that the McQuade family applied for the street co-naming through her office. City street co-namings are official legislative requests that move from the community board level up through the full City Council for approval. She said there are hundreds of street co-namings citywide each year.
Jackie McQuade, who has since taken over the funeral home at the intersection of Sommer Place and East Tremont Avenue, said memorializing her father this way feels like a fitting tribute to the man who was a staple and champion of the Throggs Neck community.
“He so deserves it, that’s for sure,” she said. “It’s overwhelming, it’s a bit emotional, but now … my dad’s name is there every day and I walk past it.”
Reach Camille Botello at cbotello@schnepsmedia.com. For more coverage, follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram @bronxtimes
