Bay Ridge Merchants of Third Ave. honors pioneers, civic leaders

October 19, 2017 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

From left: John Quaglione, John Alexander, Ralph Succar, John Abi Habib, Renee Dorsa, Tom D’Elia, Carlo Scissura, Joe Elhilow and state Sen. Marty Golden. Eagle photos by Arthur De Gaeta

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The Merchants of Third Avenue held its 24th annual Pioneer Awards reception on Monday night at the Bay Ridge Manor at 476 76th St. Merchants President Bob Howe and Chair Chuck Otey welcomed elected officials, community leaders, honorees and their families to a memorable evening celebrating commitment to the community.

The Pioneer event, Howe said, was originally conceived by Otey as a way to “recognize merchants on the avenue who distinguish themselves by being able to stay in business for a long period of time.”

According to Howe, the some 400 businesses on the avenue employ from one to 20 people. He referred to Third Avenue as “a small little economic engine of its own.” He said that along with pioneers, civic awards are presented “to those who’ve made a difference in Bay Ridge life.”

The Larry Morrish Community Service Award was presented to Danielle Rutuelo for her bravery in never letting her developmental disabilities hold her back. The award was named for Morrish, the late beloved civic leader who wholeheartedly promoted Bay Ridge.

John Quaglione, last year’s recipient of the award, offered a heartfelt introduction calling Rutuelo “an example of someone who loves Bay Ridge, loves Third Avenue and loves the many organizations that are so important here in our neighborhood.” He said Rutuelo was an inspiration to everyone and that Morrish would be very proud of her receiving the award in his memory.

The New Business Pioneer Award was given to Mike Kaves, the owner of The Brooklyn Firefly restaurant at 7003 Third Ave. Brooklyn-born Kaves has distinguished himself throughout his career as an artist, musician and tattoo specialist. Kaves said that although his career has taken him all around the world, his heart has always been in Bay Ridge.

Otey introduced community leader Chip Cafeiro and presented him with a special award for organizing the Festival of Hope event following the 9/11 tragedy.

An emotional moment of the evening was when 26-year-old journalist Meaghan McGoldrick was presented with a civic award for her efforts raising money for cancer research. After her mother and father both succumbed to the disease within a short time of one another, McGoldrick organized the Cancer Can’t Kill Love Benefit Concert to raise money in their memory.

The other award recipients were real estate broker Renee Dorsa; financial analyst Tom D’Elia; attorney Joseph Elhilow, children’s advocate and former educator Theresa Monforte-Caraballo; Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the nonprofit Partnership for New York City; Walter Ochoa, owner and director of Right at Home health care; attorney Joann Monaco; educator Sara Marie Steinweiss; Jeanine Condon; Lisa Larkin and Melissa Franz, co-founders of Charmed; and Blue Agave restaurant owners Dennis Taveras and Francis Chevalier.

City Councilmember Vincent Gentile said, “An event like this with so many pioneers and civic award winners reminds me of what it takes to really put a great community together. It takes everybody.”

“We’re Bay Ridge strong,” said state Sen. Marty Golden. “And Third Avenue continues to be the anchor for this great community through the great work the merchants are doing.”