May 28, 2026

Recognizes Seven Decades of Public Service by Late Salvatore and Eric DelleCave

Dedicated Duo Led DEP’s Manhattan Field Operations and Assisted First Responders on Sept. 11

New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia today announced the renaming of Pike Street in Manhattan, between Henry and Madison streets, as “Salvatore and Eric DelleCave Way.” The designation will honor the late Salvatore and Eric DelleCave — a father‑and‑son team who together dedicated almost 70 years to DEP’s Field Operations in Manhattan and served the city with distinction, including assisting FDNY on the tragic morning of Sept. 11, 2001. This renaming acknowledges the DelleCave family’s extraordinary commitment to maintaining and protecting the city’s essential water and sewer infrastructure and their deep connection to the Pike Street community.

“Salvatore and Eric DelleCave embodied the very best of public service, and renaming this block in their honor is a fitting tribute to their decades of dedication to New York City and DEP,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “From maintaining critical water and sewer infrastructure to supporting first responders on Sept. 11, we are proud to recognize their legacy and the lasting impact they made.”

“The DEP was truly a second family to my husband, Eric, and my father-in-law, Sal. Eric grew up listening to his father triage late-night emergency calls over the radio, and years later, our own daughters would listen to their father do the exact same thing. Eric and Sal possessed a rare, admirable work ethic that defined their lives,” said Jennifer DelleCave. “On behalf of our entire family — myself, my daughters Krissy and Stephanie, my mother-in-law Judy, my brother-in-law Beau, and my sisters-in-law Jen and Stephanie — we deeply appreciate New York City's acknowledgment of Eric and Sal’s lifelong commitment through the renaming of Pike Street. This honor beautifully preserves the memory of my devoted husband and father-in-law.”

“Salvatore and Eric DelleCave represent the very best of Manhattan public service. For nearly 70 years at DEP, they helped keep our city running and stepped up when New Yorkers needed them most — including in the aftermath of 9/11,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “I’m grateful to the DelleCave family, their former colleagues at DEP, Council Member Christopher Marte, and Community Board 3 for helping make this street renaming possible. It’s a fitting tribute that will ensure Salvatore and Eric’s legacy continues to inspire future generations of Manhattanites.”

“Salvatore and Eric DelleCave gave their lives to the quiet, essential work that keeps our city running. For nearly seven decades combined, this father and son served New Yorkers with humility, skill, and an unwavering sense of duty, including on September 11th, when their work helped support first responders in our city’s darkest hour,” said Council Member Christopher Marte. “Naming this block ‘Salvatore and Eric DelleCave Way’ ensures that their legacy will live on in the neighborhood they served, the city they loved, and the family and colleagues who carry their memory forward.

“Community Board 3 Manhattan is proud to support the co-naming of Pike Street between Henry and Madison Streets as Salvatore and Eric DelleCave Way. Salvatore and Eric, father and son, were dedicated public servants who, during their lifetimes, demonstrated extraordinary and consistent long-term commitment to benefit the community through public service,” said Andrea Gordillo, Community Board 3 Chair. “Salvatore and Eric both dedicated their lives to maintaining water and sewer infrastructure, necessary for New Yorkers’ daily lives. They also both responded heroically during the 9/11 attacks by providing critical assistance to the FDNY and other first responders. It is fitting that Salvatore and Eric DelleCave should be honored in this community where they worked every day to serve New Yorkers.”

On the morning of Sept. 11, 2001, the father-and-son duo played an instrumental role in the emergency response to the terrorist attacks. Both men were on duty at the Pike Street facility and assisted FDNY and other first responders by maintaining hydrant access and water supply operations, supporting critical efforts at a moment of profound crisis. Pike Street served as a major staging area and multi‑agency command post throughout the response and recovery missions at Ground Zero.

Salvatore DelleCave began his DEP career in 1965, back when the agency was still known as the Department of Water Supply, Gas and Electricity. He served the city for more than 42 years and rose through the ranks before retiring in 2007 as Manhattan Borough Manager. He passed away on July 31, 2014, at the age of 71.

His son, Eric, joined DEP in 1995 as an apprentice construction laborer and, following in his father’s footsteps, advanced steadily to become Borough Manager, eventually occupying his dad’s former office. He remained a dedicated member of the Manhattan Field Operations team until his sudden passing at the age of 45 on February 12, 2022. In a testament to his 27-year devotion to the job, Eric was on scheduled weekend on-call duty and had just finished a work‑related phone conversation at home when he suffered a heart attack.

Also joining in today’s ceremony were members of the DelleCave family: Salvatore’s wife, Judy, and their son, Sal (Beau), along with Eric’s wife, Jennifer, and his daughters, Krissy and Stephanie.

The street renaming proposal received strong support from Manhattan Community Board 3 and District Manager Susan Stetzer, Council Member Christopher Marte, and the Meyer London School.

About the Department of Environmental Protection

DEP manages New York City’s water supply, providing approximately 1 billion gallons of high-quality drinking water each day to nearly 10 million residents, including 8.3 million in New York City. The water is delivered from a watershed that extends more than 125 miles from the city, comprising 19 reservoirs and three controlled lakes. Approximately 7,000 miles of water mains, tunnels and aqueducts bring water to homes and businesses throughout the five boroughs, and 7,500 miles of sewer lines and 96 pump stations take wastewater to 14 in-city treatment plants. DEP also protects the health and safety of New Yorkers by enforcing the Air and Noise Codes and asbestos rules. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram. For more information, visit nyc.gov/dep, like us on Facebook, or follow us on X and Instagram.