Dyker Heights Civic Association to honor neighborhood heroes

October 19, 2017 By Paula Katinas Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Fran Vella-Marrone (left) pictured with former District 20 Community Education Council president Laurie Windsor, is the longtime president of the Dyker Heights Civic Association. Eagle file photo by Paula Katinas

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The spirit of volunteerism will be the theme of the evening when one of Brooklyn’s oldest civic organizations holds its annual dinner next week.

The Dyker Heights Civic Association will honor Joseph Demarco, who is the lieutenant general of the Brooklyn Division of Kiwanis International, and members of the Scarpaci Family, owners of the Scarpaci Funeral Home, at the organization’s dinner on Thursday, Oct. 26, at Sirico Caterers, 8015 13th Ave., at 7 p.m.

In a statement, the civic association lauded the honorees as good neighbors who have “contributed to the betterment of our lives.”

Fran Vella Marrone, Brooklyn chief of staff to U.S. Rep. Dan Donovan (R-C-Southwest Brooklyn-Staten Island), is the longtime president of the civic association. Her membership in the group dates back more than 20 years.

The civic association was founded in 1928 to promote the quality of life of the Dyker Heights community.

DeMarco was named an award winner for the numerous roles he has played in various charity groups over the past three decades, according to the civic association. In addition to his leadership role at Kiwanis International, he is the commander of the George Washington-Victor Allegretti Post of the Sons of the American Legion, president of the Brooklyn-Staten Island chapter of UNICO and a member of the Joseph P. Cavallaro Post of the Knights of Columbus.

“He has organized and assisted with many charitable events benefitting many worthy causes,” the civic association said in a statement.

The Scarpaci Funeral home, at 1401 86th St., has been an institution in Dyker Heights since 1961, when it moved to that location. The funeral home was established in Park Slope in 1910.

The Scarpaci Family is an important part of the fabric of the Dyker Heights community, according to the civic association.

“The members of the Scarpaci Family have always been active in service organizations including Lions International, the Knights of Columbus, Kiwanis International and Pietro’s Fight,” a statement from the civic association reads.

For more information on the civic association, visit www.dykerheightscivicassociation.com.