Wantagh street renamed in honor of 9/11 first responder

From now on, anyone who walks down to the corner of Wantagh’s Locust and Oakland avenues will be reminded of Al Morabito, a retired sergeant in the New York City Police Department and a first responder on Sept. 11, 2001, thanks to a new street sign with his name on it.

The sign unveiling took place on July 27, when dozens of friends, family members and neighbors gathered at the corner where Morabito lived for a ceremony presented by Town of Hempstead officials. They were joined by members of the NYPD’s Ceremonial Unit and the Highway Patrol, in which Morabito served before he retired in 2006.

U.S. Rep. Anthony D’Esposito, State Sen. Steve Rhoads, County Legislator Michael Giangregorio, Town Supervisor Don Clavin, Town Clerk Kate Murray and Receiver of Taxes Jeanine Driscoll attended the gathering. Clavin noted that it is the responsibility of local government to recognize and remember heroes in the community.

“He was a hero, and he was very, very special,” Clavin said of Morabito, “and that’s the legacy you’ll be able to have right here.”

Clavin added that Town Councilman Christopher Carini, who died unexpectedly on July 14 while visiting family in Florida, had worked closely with the Morabito family to make sure the event would take place.

Morabito spent 40 years in the NYPD. He joined the department in 1966, and was assigned to the Tactical Police Force. In 1971 he transferred to Motorcycle Unit #2 in Brooklyn, and 16 years later he was promoted to sergeant, before transferring to Highway Patrol #3 in Queens, where he spent the rest of his career.

Morabito’s son, Paul, said that he and his siblings looked up to their father when he was an officer, and he thanked town officials, Nassau and New York police departments, and friends and family for helping to honor his father.

“He was very brave,” Paul said. “He was dedicated to what he did, and we were definitely very proud.”

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, Morabito was at home in Queens when he saw what was happening at the World Trade Center. He hopped on his patrol motorcycle and headed to Lower Manhattan to help fellow first responders. Over the next couple of weeks, Morabito helped in the rescue and recovery efforts.

Two years after he retired in 2006, he moved to Wantagh, where he lived until he succumbed to 9/11-related brain cancer in March of this year, at age 80. He is survived by three children, Peter, Paul and Amanda, and grandchildren Nicholas, Adrianna and Vincent. Al’s wife, Antoinette, died in 2011.

Clavin noted that neighbors and visitors, including those in future generations, who walk down Locust Avenue will come to know it as Sergeant Al Morabito Avenue. Clavin encouraged the Morabito family to continue to share their memories of his accomplishments.

“You should brag about everything that he’s done, because that’s what it’s all about,” Clavin said. “It’s about the life he lived, the bravery he showed, and the legacy that is the responsibility of all of us to remember.”

For Paul, his father clearly earned having his name on a street sign. “It’s a great honor for him,” his son said. “He spent 40 years in the Police Department, so it’s a well-deserved honor for him.”