Fordham University row team buying WWCA beach club
From page 1
occupying the property was heavily
damaged by Hurricane Sandy in 2012
and will need to undergo major renovations
or be replaced with a similarsized
structure.
Following the curtailment of
WCCA activities, the property sat vacant.
The club’s remaining membership
were unable to keep up with the
real estate taxes, according to multiple
sources.
The lawyer representing Fordham
Waterfront Holdings said at the board
meeting that the planned improvements
would include a fl oating dock to
replace the stationary one.
He said that the property’s use
would essentially remain the same,
recreational, with the bulk of its activities
taking place in the fall and spring
months.
Country Club Civic Association’s
president, Arlene Grauer, said that
the homeowner group was supportive
of the concept, and just wants to
know a bit more about the specifi cs of
the sale.
“We would like to know a little
bit more about the deal itself,” said
Grauer. “We welcome the Fordham
crew and sailing teams, and think that
they would be good neighbors.”
Grauer said that bringing the Fordham
teams to Country Club could
present an opportunity for local youth
Street naming for beloved coach
From page 1
BRONX TIMES REPORTER, M 88 ARCH 22-28, 2019 BTR
The Westchester Country Club swimming club was badly damaged by Superstorm Sandy.
Schneps Media / Patrick Rocchio
to be exposed to the sports of sailing
and crew.
Stephen Kaufman, an attorney
with a practice in Throggs Neck, represented
the beach club, and spent two
and a half years hammering out the
deal.
He called the deal a ‘triple home
run’ for the community, bringing in
an attractive use that would have little
to no impact on the residential neighborhood,
while bailing out the WCCA
from the likelihood of foreclosure.
“I think the community board was
extremely astute in recognizing that
this would be a wonderful addition to
the community,” said Kaufman. “You
are going to have a prestigious university
with a rowing and sailing facility
in our community.”
He added that the zoning exemption
being sought would be limited to Fordham
University’s sole use.
“I feel optimistic about it,” said
Kaufman. “It is nice to see the community
get good things.”
The former Westchester Country Club property at 3341 Country Club Road may become part
of Fordham University. Schneps Media / Patrick Rocchio
were present at a Mass in Muccio’s
honor at St. Theresa’s Church on Sunday,
March 17, the anniversary of her
passing, said her father.
Community activist and longtime
friend Victor DiPierro was recognized
during the Mass for spear-heading the
street co-naming process in motion in
honor of Michele.
Councilman Mark Gjonaj followed
through at NYC City Hall, helping in
the process, which took a bit longer
than expected, he said.
“We dedicated a lot of time to
make sure this became a reality,”
said Gjonaj. “Michele certainly deserved
in the hearts and minds of
many to have a street named in her
memory.”
The councilman added: “she has
been a role model for so many.”
She lived in the Pelham Bay community
for her entire life, and volunteered
at St. Theresa’s School, when
her three children were in the parish
school, her husband Christopher Muccio
said.
“She didn’t realize how much she
was doing for other people,” Muccio
said. “She would wake up in the morning
and not come back until 9 p.m. or
10 p.m. at night because she was always
doing something to help someone
else.”
Her said that the street naming
was a great honor, and that he was “so
proud to be called her husband.”
Beloved mother and cheerleading coach (c. top) Michele Muccio will be remembered with a
street co-naming in her honor on Saturday, April 6.
“She always made time for me,”
said her husband, adding “she was my
best friend and buddy, and tough as
nails too.”
Muccio said that Michele was his
lifelong sweetheart. They met when
she was 14 and he was 15. They were together
for 30 years and married for 22
years, he said.
DiPierro knew both Muccios since
they were teenagers, and approached
the family and councilman shortly
after her passing with the plan for a
street co-naming, he said.
“I felt that for she deserved this
honor for all of the volunteer work she
put into this community, especially at
the St. Theresa School community for
so many years,” said DiPierro, adding
that he believes it to be the perfect
honor and something that would be an
everlasting tribute.
She is also survived by two other
daughters, Francesca and Daniela.
$1,500
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