Belmont corner named for teen hero
Lucas Silverio died saved a young girl from a building fi re in 2019
BY JASON COHEN
Real life heroes walk among everyday
people and some of them
sacrifi ce their entire lives to help
others. Earlier this month, the Belmont
community honored one of
their local heroes.
In 2019, Lucas Silverio, then
19-years-old, ran into a burning
apartment building attempting to
save 3-year-old Yasleen McDonald
from the fi re. Silverio tragically
died from third-degree burns three
days after rescuing McDonald, who
also succumbed to her injuries.
On Nov. 6, which would have
been Silverio’s 21st birthday, Councilman
Ritchie Torres and the Silverio
family held a street renaming
ceremony on the corner of
Crotona Avenue and Grote Street
in Belmont, which will now be
known as Lucas Yoaldy Silverio
Mendoza Way.
As tears rolled down the cheeks
of loved ones, Jesse Alvarez
spoke proudly about his cousin’s
heroic efforts.
“In his fi nal moments in life he
was a hero, just like Superman,
just like Batman,” Alvarez said.
“He went into danger not knowing
what he was going into, only caring
Councilman Ritchie Torres and the Silverio family held a street renaming ceremony where the corner of Crotona Avenue and Grote Street
in Belmont, which was dedicated to Lucas Silverio Photos by Jason Cohen
about saving a life and making sure
the other person that needed help
got the help they got.”
COMMUNITY
CHIROPRATIC
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BRONX TIMES REPORTER,16 NOVEMBER 13-19, 2020 BTR
He described him as selfl ess, caring,
generous and loving. Alvarez
recalled how his cousin could have
left the building, but that was not
the type of person he was.
Silverio attended P.S. 118, the
High School for Economics and
Finance, and was a student at
Bronx Community College. The
son of Victor Jose and Mercedes,
the teen had dreams of being a
physical therapist.
Councilman Torres called Silverio’s
actions “truly remarkable.”
“For Lucas, the cry of a 3-yearold
girl was a call to action,” Torres
said. “A time for compassion
and courage. How many of us would
have done what Lucas did? He was
one of a kind. He was a hero in the
truest sense of the word.”
Torres hoped people would always
remember the bravery Silverio
displayed last year.
“I’m honored to rename Crotona
Avenue and Grote Street in honor of
Lucas Silverio,” Torres said. “My
commitment to the family and to
the community is his name and his
heroism will never be forgotten.”
In addition to his desire to be a
physical therapist, Silverio had a
passion for literacy. He worked at
the Bronx Library Center and the
President of the NY Public Library
Anthony Marx described the young
man as “one of a kind.”
Marx added that Silverio was a
“rare diamond” and wished more
people were like him.
“When it feels like the nation
is teetering on some form of the
abyss, when we all feel the pressure
in our homes, it’s a time when we
all need to be inspired by Lucas,”
Marx said.
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of Throggs Neck
Kenneth P. Gonoud D.C.
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THE CITY CLERK
OF THE CITY OF NEW YORK
Pursuant to provisions of Section 25(b)(1) of the Charter of the City of New
NOTICE OF SPECIAL ELECTION
O
o
York,York notice notice is is hereby here
given that a special election will be held in the
Borough of Bronx, County of Bronx, on Tuesday, December 22, 2020,
between the hours of 6:00 AM and 9:00 PM for the purpose of electing a
candidate for the 12th Councilmanic District. Only registered voters in this
district are eligible to vote.
For any information on whether you are eligible to vote or where your poll site
is located, please call (212) V-0-T-E-N-Y-C. TDD for the hearing-impaired is
(212) 487-5496.
The City Clerk of the City of New York