Gravesend
Old street, new name
Family members, including wife Rose Nikas, granddaughter Arianna Passeriello, grandson Frankie Passeriello, daughter Helen Passariello and son Elias Nikas along with friends, including members of the 61st Police Precinct and Councilmember Chaim Deutsch (D–Sheepshead Bay) gathered at the intersection of E. 12th Street and Avenue W on Sept. 17 to unveil the new street sign proclaiming it John E. Nikas Way. Family friend Fr. Dominick Cutrone blessed the sign with a sprinkling of holy water.
The street was renamed to honor neighborhood champion John Nikas, who passed away in 2011. The longtime community activist served as chairman of Community Board 13, assisted Gov. Mario Cuomo, and cofounded Youth Dares, a charitable organization that helps at-risk kids.
The son of Greek immigrants, John owned and operated the family business Spartan Florists and Decorators, which was located on Gravesend Neck Road, until the 1970s when he entered public life and served as assistant to the Secretary of State, confidante to the Lieutenant Governor and assistant to the Governor for Ethical Affairs. He also served in a variety of positions including president of the 61st Precinct Community Council, on the board of directors at New York Community Hospital, and chairman of the city-wide Coalition of Community Boards. He was also very involved with the Three Hierarchs Greek Orthodox Church and was instrumental in setting up a program that addressed the needs of Greek immigrants in the community.
Council member Deutsch, who was instrumental in the street re-naming process, said, “It was an honor and a pleasure to host the co-naming of John E. Nikas Way. John was a paragon of integrity and compassion, a true role model for all. John was a doer and a community activist whose dedication to his family and his neighborhood knew no bounds. I am proud to have been able to memorialize him with this street co-naming.”
