ASTORIA LOSES A LOCAL LEGEND
Community mourns as icon Luke Gasparre, a World War II combat, dies at age 95
BY BILL PARRY
Astoria is mourning the
loss of one of the neighborhood’s
most beloved figures.
World War II veteran Luke
Gasparre, who went on to become
an usher for the New
York Mets when Shea Stadium
opened in 1964, died Thursday
morning at the age of 95.
“Luke Gasparre was a
friend to everyone in Astoria,”
state Sen. Michael Gianaris
said. “”He shared his love of
the Mets, public service, and
his community with every
person he encountered. We
will miss Luke’s warm presence
and constant smile. I was
proud to induct him into the
Senate Veterans Hall of Fame
in 2016 and was even prouder
to call him my friend.”
At the young age of 18,
Gasparre trained to become
a soldier and was assigned
to the 87th Infantry Division
that was tasked with breaking
through the German lines.
He fought in the Battle of the
Bulge, which was the highest
casualty operation by the end
of World War II.
“At one point he was in combat
for five straight months,”
Astoria civic leader Antonio
Meloni said during a ceremony
honoring Gasparre in 2014.
Following the war, Gasparre
returned to Astoria
having earned seven medals
including the Bronze Star and
Purple Heart. He worked for
the postal service for 34 years
and to make ends meet he took
a job as an usher for the Mets
for 55 years, the most ever in
the Mets organization.
“Luke held a special place
in our Mets family. He served
as an usher for parts of six
decades and was a decorated
World War II veteran who wore
his Purple Heart and Bronze
Star on his usher’s uniform,”
the Mets said in a statement.
“So many of our fans knew
him as he always welcomed everyone
with open arms and a
friendly conversation. He will
be missed by many and we
send our heartfelt condolences
to all his family and friends.”
TIMESLEDGER | 8 QNS.COM | FEB. 21-27, 2020
Gasparre was also a ticket
taker and usher at the U.S.
Open for more than 40 years.
He became the longtime leader
of the Tamiment Democratic
Club and various other civic
groups.
Former City Council
Speaker Peter Vallone, Sr.,
who represented Astoria for
more than three decades, put
Gasparre on the City Planning
Commission “because of
his brilliant mind,” and Gasparre
was a longtime member
of Community Board 1.
He was married to his late
wife, Madeline, for 66 years
and they had a family of three
children, five grandchildren
and four great-grandchildren.
Visitation took place
at Drago Funeral Home at 43-
10 30th Ave. on Saturday,
Feb.15, Sunday, Feb. 16, and
Monday, Feb. 17, and a funeral
mass was held at St. Joseph’s
Roman Catholic Church — located
at 43-19 30th Ave. — on
Tuesday, Feb. 18.
“Luke Gasparre was a community
treasure. I will remember
him best for his warmth,
generosity and strong commitment
to his community,” Assemblywoman
Aravella Simotas
said. “Whether chatting
with him when the Mets where
playing at home or dancing
with him at community functions,
Luke had a way of making
me smile. Our community
will miss him. I will miss him.
My condolences to his family
and friends.”
Reach reporter Bill Parry by
e-mail at bparry@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718)
260–4538.
Luke Gasparre was a crowd favorite at Columbus Day Parades in
Astoria each year. Photo by Walter Karling
link
link
link
/QNS.COM
