By Lincoln Anderson
Lisa LaFrieda, a partner in Pat LaFrieda Meats on Leroy St. and a member of Community Board 2 for the past few years, died early Monday morning at St. Vincent’s Hospital. She was 51.
LaFrieda was diagnosed with stomach cancer two years ago. A Village resident for the past 40 years, she was a Board 2 member since 1999 and was chairperson of its Sidewalks Committee since 2001 and the board’s second vice chairperson since 2003. She was also a board of directors member of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce. She was born in Brooklyn.
Said Jim Smith, chairperson of C.B. 2, “Lisa will be poignantly missed by us all. She was a tireless fighter for her neighborhood, a loyal friend and a true Lady Bountiful whose generosity of heart and spirit made a feast for all around her. May she journey in peace.”
“Lisa will be missed deeply by us all. She was tireless fighter for her neighborhood, a loyal friend and a committed board member,” said Michael Haberman, president of the Greenwich Village-Chelsea Chamber of Commerce.
Pat LaFrieda, her brother and partner in running the meat business founded by their father, said, “They only gave her a few months and she lasted two years. She was a tough person. Just like she fought for everyone in Greenwich Village. That was her life in the end — to be on these boards and help people.”
Last year, Leroy St. was co-named Pat LaFrieda Way in honor of their father.
LaFrieda was a vocal opponent of the proposed Hudson Sq. Business Improvement District. LaFrieda, who lived next to the family meat business, also supported rezoning the north end of Hudson Sq. for residential use, but the effort failed.
LaFrieda is survived by her brother and sister, Antonette Wright, both of Brooklyn, nine nieces and nephews and two great-nieces.
Viewings will be held at Greenwich Village Funeral Home, 199 Bleecker St., between Sixth Ave. and MacDougal St., Wed., July 28, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m., and Thurs., July 29, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. and 7 p.m.-9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held Fri., July 30 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Veronica’s Roman Catholic Church, 149-155 Christopher St., between Greenwich and Washington Sts.
