Friends and relatives of local heroes William and Sarah Richio joined City Councilmember Margaret Chin (second from right) on Sun., Jan. 6, to christen the Little Italy street corner that now shares the Richios’ names. William and Sarah Richio Way officially lies at the intersection of Spring and Elizabeth Sts., only steps away from the Judson Health Center, which the Richios saved from funding cuts and closure through their fight on behalf of the low-income area residents that relied on the clinic’s affordable medical care. The Richios were also the driving force behind the Neighborhood Council to Combat Poverty, which provided help to locals who faced problems with housing, public assistance or drug use. In addition, they both served as board members of the Little Italy Restoration Association, worked as advocates for the 180 Mott St. Senior Center, and were members of the Gouverneur Hospital Advisory Board. Friends and relatives in attendance at the street co-naming ceremony noted that, above all else, the Richios deserved to be honored for their genuine, enduring love of Little Italy and its people.
