Lafazan, Scutari Family and Community Leaders Celebrate Re-Naming of ‘Gus Scutari Way’ in Syosset
(SYOSSET, N.Y.) - Ahead of the Fourth of July weekend, Nassau County Legislator Joshua Lafazan (Woodbury) will join members of the Scutari family and local Syosset community leaders to celebrate the ceremonial re-naming of Underhill Boulevard in Syosset between Jackson Avenue and Queens Street in honor of beloved Syosset World War II veteran and community leader Gus Scutari.
The full Nassau County Legislature unanimously approved Legislator Lafazan’s bill to rename this stretch of Underhill Road during its Monday, June 29 meeting.
Mr. Scutari, who joined the U.S. Navy at the height of World War II, fought valiantly in the Pacific theater of the war and became a distinguished community leader upon his return to civilian life. A former Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Syosset Post No. 175, he was perhaps best known as “Mr. Memorial Day” for organizing Syosset’s annual Memorial Day from 1991 to 2008. Mr. Scutari passed away on April 9, 2020 at the age of 99.
“Gus Scutari was a World War II veteran, an American hero, and a Syosset icon. On the eve of Independence Day, I’m so proud to have passed this bill and help honor an exceptional patriot,” Legislator Lafazan said. “My hope is that the name of Gus Scutari lives on in our community as an example of service, sacrifice, and community for future generations.”
WHO: Legislator Lafazan is scheduled to join Justin Zorbo, a grandson of Mr. Scutari; Nassau County Executive Laura Curran; New York State Senator James Gaughran; Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino; Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6394 Commander Kris Kilgour; Syosset American Legion Commander Barry Goldblatt; Syosset Fire Department Commissioner Giovanni L. Graceffa; Syosset Superintendent Dr. Thomas Rogers; Syosset School Board President Tracy Frankel and Syosset PTA member Kim Rampanelli during the unveiling ceremony. Syosset-based Boy Scout Troop 170 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Nicole Rampanelli will sing “God Bless America.”
WHEN: Friday, July 3, 2020, 10 a.m.
WHERE: Corner of Underhill Boulevard and Jackson Avenue, Syosset, N.Y. 11791
Underhill Boulevard will be closed for the ceremony. For your navigating convenience, enter Syosset Memorial Park, Syosset, N.Y. 11791 as your GPS destination.