Late Rev. Mario de Jesus honored with street co-naming
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER, S 6 EPTEMBER 20-26, 2019 BTR
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BY STEVEN GOODSTEIN
A late, revered reverend was honored
with a street co-naming last
week.
On Saturday, September 14, the
street naming ceremony was held at
Randall and Soundview/Taylor avenues
to honor and celebrate the life
of the late Reverend Mario DeJesus, a
Bronx pastor who passed away in 2017.
Mario was born in 1939 in Utuado,
Councilman Ruben Diaz, Sr. (2nd from l) community leaders and Rev. De Jesus’ family and
friends unveiled the new street sign. Photo by Silvio Pacifi co
Puerto Rico and lived in Clason Point
once he moved to the Bronx. He studied
at the Bible Institute of Mizpa’s
New York division on White Plains
Road.
He lived in Clason Point and was the
pastor at Second Penticostal Church -
Casa De La Fe House of Faith Church
for 48 years.
DeJesus’ impact was felt far beyond
the borough. During his missionary
work he built a church in Peru, an orphanage
in El Salvador and assisted
in building another church in the Dominican
Republic.
He was also on the board of Radio
Vision Chistiana, a Christian radio
show based in New Jersey, in the early
1990s.
Attendees at the event, which was
held by Councilman Ruben Diaz, Sr.’s
offi ce, included Diaz as well as family
and friends of the late reverend.
“Reverend Mario DeJesus was my
friend for many years,” said Councilman
Ruben Diaz, Sr. “After his passing,
I felt compelled to honor his name
by (co-naming) Randall (and Taylor avenues)
‘Mario DeJesus Way.’ Today, we
unveil the sign which will stand here
forever.”
The street naming ceremony was
sponsored by Councilman Diaz, Casa
De La Fe House of Faith church, Community
Board 9, Omnibuild, Vertical
Commuity Development and LACA International.
“This street co-naming is the least
we can do for an individual who did
so much for the community for such
a long time,” said CB 9 chairman William
Rivera, who fi rst met DeJesus in
2001 when he was being honored for being
a rescue worker during 9/11.
“He was a man with a big vision and
a great deal of faith,” said Desire DeJesus
Aviles, his third daughter. “He was
willing to help anyone - and he was incredibly
giving to his church, his community
and his family.”
Desire and her husband Luis are
currently co-senior pastors at the Second
Penticostal Church - Casa De La
Fe House of Faith Church.
The naming ceremony also featured
a block party which included music,
food, games, bounce rides and live entertainment
for children throughout
the day.
DeJesus passed away on November
14, 2017. He was 77.
DeJesus’s visitation and service
were held at Casa De La Fe House of
Faith church, 1810 Randall Avenue, on
November 19, 2017. He was buried at
Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, NY. He
was the father of four daughters and
one son.
The new ‘Mario De Jesus, Sr. Way’ street
sign. Photo by Silvio Pacifi co