Jimmy Tarangelo lives with his three dogs in a van parked on the street in Hudson Square. He grew up at Leroy and Greenwich Sts., and his van can usually be found nearby there. A former auto worker and engine room mechanic, he now works as a building superintendent in the neighborhood, and also keeps the street around his vehicle clean. He also gets by with the help of a small disability check. He said he remembers how all the kids used to play games in the street. His dad, also named Jimmy Tarangelo, was a truck driver and lightweight boxer, with a record of 13 wins (three by knockout), 11 losses and five draws. Jimmy, Jr. formerly lived in Staten Island, but after a divorce, lost his apartment there, and has now spent 12 years living on the street in his van. Recently, he got a new one. He just loathes landlords, and refuses to pay them rent. Only maybe “5 percent” of them are decent people, in his view. Tarangelo participates in the Caring Community at Greenwich House’s senior day programs at Our Lady of Pompeii Church, on Carmine St. When The Villager recently passed by, he was getting ready to go over there and get a bite to eat.
