On May 24th at the corner of Stockbridge Road and Middleboro Drive, the City of Yonkers renamed the street corner Michael Nolan Way. Members of the Nolan family were joined by friends of Michael and many elected officials, including Mayor Mike Spano, Councilmembers Anthony Merante, John Rubbo, Majority Leader Michael Sabatino, County Legislators Virginia Perez, Christopher Johnson, David Tubiolo, Gordon Burrows, State Senator Shelley Mayer and former Council President Liam McLaughlin.
Michael Nolan was a Yonkers native, who attended Saunders High School and became a star baseball pitcher. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics before his life was cut short as a result of a driveby shooting on Central Avenue in 2015.
As part of the ceremony, Mayor Spano presented a proclamation making May 26th Michael’s birthday as Michael Nolan Day in Yonkers along with the street renaming.
The Nolan family has done a tremendous service to Michael’s memory by turning his life, and unfortunate death, into positive happenings in the community. The Michael Nolan Scholarship Fund has already begun to give out scholarship to students in the Yonkers Pubic Schools, and an annual Softball and Basketball tournament help honor his memory.
Michael’s organs were donated to those who were waiting for a donor and some of the recipients of the organs have met with the Nolan’s at some of these community events. The Nolan family has also worked with the City Council and the County legislator to pass laws banning drag racing. The law that passed is named the Michael Nolan Law.
Michael’s brother James Nolan has partnered with the Yonkers Police Department and their gun buy back program to increase the number of guns taken off the streets.
