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Photo of the Day: Coney Island’s Tribute in Light to Slain NYPD Officers

Posted in Photo of the Day, Photography, tagged Bruce Handy, Coney Island, lighting, Mark Treyger, NYPD, Parachute Jump, Rafael Ramos, tribute, tribute in light, Wenjian Liu on December 22, 2014| Leave a Comment »

Parachute Jump Tribute in Light to NYPD Officers Ramos and Liu, December 21, 2014. Photo © Bruce Handy

On Sunday night, the Parachute Jump lights went dark except for two blue stripes honoring the Brooklyn police officers who were ambushed and killed in Bedford-Stuyvesant on Saturday. The tribute in light to the NYPD’s Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos will be repeated on Monday. “Two nights in honor of the two officers,” said Councilman Mark Treyger, who represents Coney Island as well as Gravesend, where Officer Liu lived.

Treyger announced the lighting via twitter just before 6pm and later posted photos calling it a “soaring tribute” and thanking “all of our finest for your courage & sacrifice.” Approximately 300 people attended the candlelight vigil and prayers at the Parachute Jump, said Coney Island photographer Bruce Handy. In attendance were City Council members Treyger and Chaim Deutsch, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, clergy, and community officials and residents, as well as members of the NYPD, FDNY and EMS from South Brooklyn.

The Parachute Jump, which is lit year-round by Luna Park with 8,000 LEDs, went gold on September 5th as part of the Gold World Project to raise awareness for Childhood Cancer. On New Year’s Eve, the Jump’s LEDs will ring in 2015 with a simulated “ball drop” and light show.

Coney Island honors NYC's fallen NYPD officers pic.twitter.com/xJha0d3YDv

— Mark Treyger 🍎 (@MarkTreyger718) December 22, 2014

A symbolic Tribute for our fallen brothers tonight in #ConeyIsland. May they Rest in Peace. pic.twitter.com/oXHNBrgPap

— NYPD 109th Precinct (@NYPD109Pct) December 22, 2014

Photo Album: Coney Island Tribute to Andy Badalamenti

Posted in In Memoriam, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Andy Badalmenti, Charles Denson, Coney Island, Lou Dembrow, mounted police, NYPD, tribute on July 29, 2011| 4 Comments »

Coney Island Floral Tribute to Andy Badalamenti. July 27, 2011. Photo © Lou Dembrow

At the wake for Coney Island ride maestro Andy Badalamenti, our eyes were drawn to this special floral tribute featuring photos of Coney Island’s Cyclone, Wonder Wheel, Parachute Jump and Polar Express. It was sad to say goodbye to Andy, whose casket was adorned with touching photos and mementos from the past. If there’s a midway in heaven, we’re sure he already has “the ex” on the Himalaya. Thanks to photographer Lou Dembrow for this photo and the one below taken on closing day of Jimmy Prince’s Major Meats, Coney Island’s oldest butcher shop, which shuttered after 60 years in 2009.

Andy Badalamenti with Major Meats sign on closing day at Jimmy Prince's Mermaid Avenue shop. February 28, 2009. Photo © Lou Dembrow

The exquisite floral tributes at the wake also included a rosary with beads made of rosebuds and a horseshoe from Andy’s friends in the NYPD mounted police unit. An honor guard of mounted police kept watch outside the funeral home and an officer stood at attention by the casket. Andy worked for the past 11 years in the stables at Brighton Beach.

Historian and Coney Island History Project director Charles Denson’s moving photographic tribute features many photos with his friend’s beloved horses and cat. Watch for the photo of Andy riding the Steeplechase horse into the clouds as Pavarotti sings the aria “Nessun dorma” from the final act of Puccini’s Turandot.

Photo Album: Oct 15 Tribute in Sound & Light to Scott Fitlin

Posted in Amusement ride, Photo Album, Photography, tagged Bumper Cars, Coney Island, Eldorado, Scott Fitlin, tribute on October 17, 2010| 3 Comments »

Eldorado Ticket Booth. October 15, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr

The funeral services for Scott Fitlin, the operator and DJ extraordinaire of Coney Island’s Eldorado Bumper Cars were on Friday in Long Island. At 9 am in front of the Eldorado, guests began boarding a chartered bus. We’re told that while the passengers waited for everyone to arrive, a friend rolled up the steel doors of the Eldorado, put on some music, and turned up the volume in tribute to Scotty.

Eldorado Auto Skooter, Coney Island. October 15, 2010. Photo © Tricia Vita

By 10 am, the bus had left Surf Avenue. Before the friend locked up and left to go to the funeral, he paid one more tribute to Scotty: He turned on the lights of the Eldorado’s dazzling marquee and the neon lights in the ticket booth. That’s why we found the Eldorado all lit up, though it was closed, when we got to Coney Island at 4:30 and took these photos. The lights were still blazing at midnight when we passed by on our way home. The friend returned the next morning and turned off the Eldorado’s lights for the 2010 season. RIP Scott, your passion for Coney Island and knowledge of its history were greatly admired. You will be missed more than you could ever know.