NEW YORK – The renaming of the corner of 42nd Street with 23rd Avenue in Astoria as Anastasios Tsakos Way is proposed by a group of expatriates led by the well-known Greek-American businessman Constantinos Prentzas and supported by community organizations and businesses.

As Prentzas told The National Herald, this is a symbolic move in order to honor the memory of the Greek-American NYPD police officer who lost his life while on duty in the early hours of Holy Tuesday, April 27, on the asphalt of the Long Island Expressway, when he was struck and killed by a drunk driver.

"I thought of this particular corner because that was where his family home was, where Tasos lived and grew up. I knew him for a long time, since he was in Astoria. He was a young man with a golden heart, always with a smile, laughter and puns, always with the willingness to help others,” said Prentzas.

In order to comply with the procedures, Prentzas contacted the community of Saint Demetrios in Astoria, which contributed to the collection of the necessary number of signatures, with the call going out to Saint Demetrios Cathedral and the Saint Catherine and Saint George community. As expected, the public responded, the request was submitted and will now be put up for discussion in the Community Council, in order to then be sent as a decision to the New York City Council.

"I think the issue is typical and they will not deny it. The necessary signatures have been collected and the application is ready. The next meeting of the Community Council is in the second or third week of June. Then it will be voted on,” the businessman clarified.

At the same time, an effort will be made so that the memory of the Greek-American police officer is more widely honored, as a proposal is expected to be submitted soon through a resolution to the New York City Council, in order to establish April 27 as “Anastasios Tsakos Day,” so he will always be remembered for his dedication to duty, until the last moment.

“I am in contact with and informing Tasos' brother, Lefteris. During the week, I will also visit his wife, Irene, together with Fr. George Anastasiou, who is a police chaplain, in order to officially inform her as well,” concluded Prentzas.

Finally, the Greek businessman thanked the local businesses Crescent Apothecary, Tru, Hercules Shipping & Moving, and Souvlaki Lady, which contributed with their own efforts in the promotion of the request for renaming the street.