Family and friends of the late Venancio “Benny” Catala Jr. joined together at 166th Street and Teller Avenue, just east of Morrisania, on Saturday, July 29, along with a number of elected officials, as Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and District 16 City Council Member Althea Stevens hosted a street co-naming ceremony to honor Catala Jr. for what was described as his decades of public service and community leadership.

 

According to The Office of Bronx Borough President, Benny, as friends and family knew him, was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and was raised in the South Bronx. They said he played a pivotal role in Bronx politics and was responsible for the successful campaigns of several Bronx elected officials and members of the Bronx judiciary.

Catala Jr. was born on Nov. 3, 1969 and died last year on Jan. 17. The Bronx Democratic Party shared news of his death, funeral arrangements, and planned tributes with the wider community at the time saying, it was with “profound sorrow” that they announced his passing.

 

Speaking at the street co-naming event on Saturday, Gibson said, “I’m honored to join colleagues, community leaders, and members of Benny’s family to celebrate the life and legacy of our dear friend, Benny Catala. Benny was a proud Bronxite who loved his family, his beloved New York Yankees, and was a friend to so many.”

Benny was a true fighter for the Bronx, and was a central part of the Democratic fabric in our borough.

His keen political sense, his hard-working ethos, and his all-around good spirits will be missed greatly.

My heart goes out to his friends and family. RIP. https://t.co/TAePQc2Bq4

— Jeffrey Dinowitz (@JeffreyDinowitz) January 18, 2022

 

The borough president went on to say that Catala Jr. dedicated his life to public service and was “truly instrumental” in the successful elections of many public officials. “He was a staple in Bronx politics whose presence is truly missed and will never be forgotten,” she said. “My appreciation to Council Member Althea Stevens for her leadership in making this Street Co-Naming possible and for ensuring Benny will live on not only through his family and friends, but his name will forever be displayed on Teller Avenue for generations to come.”

 

For her part, Stevens reiterated Gibson’s words, saying, “Benny was a powerful force in Bronx politics and he left behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.” She added, “With today’s street co-naming, we are ensuring his name is memorized on the block and neighborhood he called home.”

Meanwhile, Bronx Democratic Party chair, State Sen. Jamaal Bailey (S.D. 36), said, “Today, we came together to honor the life and legacy of Venancio “Benny” Catala Jr., a true friend, Bronxite, community leader, and mentor to so many. 166th Street and Teller Avenue is now Venancio “Benny” Catala, Jr. Way. An incredible tribute to his life in service.”

 

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz (A.D. 81) had described Catala Jr. at the time of his death as a “true fighter,” for The Bronx, and said he was a central part of the Democratic fabric of the borough. “His keen political sense, his hard-working ethos, and his all-around good spirits will be missed greatly,” he said at the time. “My heart goes out to his friends and family. RIP.”

The program for the street co-naming included various musical performances and remarks from several elected officials, community leaders and members of Catala Jr.’s family.

 

His relatives also accepted a proclamation on his behalf from Gibson.

The formal unveiling of the street sign in Catala Jr’s memory then took place and was followed by a community block party.