‘Aldona Vaiciunas Way’ co-naming honors beloved Vinegar Hill leader

VINEGAR HILL — She was lauded as a fierce protector of her historic Vinegar Hill neighborhood, a respected community leader, a loyal friend and a tenacious advocate with a heart of gold.

On Saturday, friends, allies and officials gathered to honor the life of Aldona Vaiciunas, and to co-name the intersection at Hudson Avenue and Evans Street “Aldona Vaiciunas Way.” She passed away May 25.

Vaiciunas was born and lived almost her entire life on the block, and she fought for her neighborhood tirelessly, speakers said. They described how, years ago, she became alarmed as new developments and housing projects began to change the character of Vinegar Hill, the quiet enclave tucked between DUMBO and the Brooklyn Navy Yard. 

Though busy with her administrative job with the Civil Service Bar Association, affiliated with Teamsters Local 237, she reluctantly agreed to become president of the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association in 2012 after a plea from one of her best friends.

“She organized her constituents, and lobbied politicians, community boards, city agencies and major vendors — such as Con Ed and Brooklyn Union Gas — to protect parks, landmarks, old churches and cobblestone streets,” said Michael Hartig, Vaiciunas’ life partner. 

The couple formed a lasting bond after the shared trauma of 9/11, he said. Vaiciunas was standing right next to the World Trade towers as they came down. “She saw many people jump, and had to shelter under a truck to escape some of the smoke and dust,” he said.

Vaiciunas represented Vinegar Hill on the Community Advisory Council of Brooklyn Bridge Park, and at hearings with elected officials and city agencies.

Under her leadership, Vinegar Hill was put on the map, the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association gained stature, and she was able to hold back “much inappropriate development,” Hartig said. “At her wake, former Councilmember Stephen Levin said that in his three terms on the Council, the only zoning change that wasn’t approved was in Vinegar Hill, because of Aldona’s leadership.”  

‘Fiercely protective’

Rodrigo Pocius, current president of the Vinegar Hill Neighborhood Association, said that Vaiciunas fought for the neighborhood “right up to her last breath.” 

“One of the lessons she leaves us is that we can never take Vinegar Hill for granted,” he said. “Every generation inherits the responsibility to be good stewards of this place, to remain engaged, and to pay attention when decisions are being made that affect our streets, our open spaces, our history and our quality of life.”

In her role as president, Vaiciunas formed alliances with neighboring community groups such as the Farragut Tenants Association, the DUMBO Neighborhood Alliance and the Fulton Ferry Landing Association. 

Doreen Gallo, president of DNA, recalled how Judi Francis, who represented the Brooklyn Bridge Park Defense Fund on the park’s CAC, introduced her to Vaiciunas.

“We quickly became allies, finding common ground in the challenges we faced and supporting one another’s work,” Gallo said, adding that Aldona “was fiercely protective of her neighborhood and deeply cherished being part of such a special, close-knit community.”

Gallo gave a shout out to Councilmember Lincoln Restler and to the New York City Department of Transportation for making the street co-naming happen. 

‘Paralegal on steroids’

“Officially, she was our grievance coordinator and office administrator, but in actuality, she handled everything. She was kind of like a paralegal on steroids,” said Saul Fishman, president of the CSBA, where Vaiciunas worked for 25 years.

“Whatever the issue, Aldona was the person who knew the answers,” Fishman said. “More often than not, I deferred to her judgment. Which — much more often than not — was very, very good judgment.”

He added, “We worked very well together as a team for a little over 25 years. Aldona was my rock, my confidant, and my closest advisor.”

‘You have to know your people’

To be the head of a community association, “You have to confront many issues that seem intractable, that government doesn’t seem to be paying attention to,” said Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon, whose district includes Vinegar Hill. “You have to pay attention. You have to have roots, and you have to really understand the folks that you’re speaking for and representing.

“Aldona did that in a way that few others have ever done. And she did it with love, and she did it with dedication and attention.”

Melanie Cruz, Vaiciunas’ goddaughter, used to think her godmother was being tough on her. “But as I got older, I realized she just loved me so much that she just wanted to push me to become the best person that I could be. She made people want to be better, and she improved anything that she touched.”

Longtime friend talked her into the role

Linda McAllister, friend with Vaiciunas for 44 years, described to the crowd some of the shady deals and real estate misrepresentations going on in the neighborhood back in 2012. 

In desperation, McAllister called her friend for help.

“I called Aldona on her landline, and I said, ‘Look, kiddo, I’d really appreciate it if you’d think about running for the neighborhood association president,’” McAllister recalled.

“And Aldona said, ‘I’m sorry, I can’t, Linda. You know, ma’s health is bad … my job is really stressful, and I’m too old.’”

McAllister told Vaiciunas she understood, hung up the phone, “poured another glass of wine and lit a cigarette,” and said to herself, “Well, crap.”

“About 12 minutes later, my phone rang, and it was Aldona,” McAllister said. “‘You’re right, Linda. I can’t turn my back on Vinegar Hill,’ she said. ‘If you nominate me at the elections, I’ll agree to run.’ And I said, ‘Thank you, kiddo. We really need your help.’ And we got it, for years to come.”