If you want your entry removed, changed, or corrected,
please let me know.
I'll try to comply with all requests as soon as possible. I try to comply with the intentions of people who submit comments on the registration page
or otherwise.
Discussion forum
This is not a discussion forum, and everything is posted manually.
For an active discussion forum, please visit CasalsK's
Backup Forum, on ezboard (works better with Internet Explorer), or
visit http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Coop_City.
CasalsK's old Co-op City Message Board is unavailable -- Coolboard stopped providing that
service around July 2, 2001. The AOL forum has apparently also stopped.
Residents and former residents who left comments
are listed only in that section. These lists are
mostly in chronological order as received, with a few
prominent folks (none of whom have bothered to sign in) at the top. Use your
browser's Edit|Find in Page
function to search for particular people
on this page, or if you have JavaScript enabled, the following
control (which I wrote for my employer) should work. Enter
the name or other text to be searched, and hit Enter, or
click the button. Hit the button again, or in Netscape hit Enter again for Find Again.
Sonia Sotomayor, first Hispanic gentile nominated to the Supreme Court
David Berkowitz, the Son of Sam serial killer, Building 6 I think.
Ann Gorman <amgor863@gmail.com>
who had mentioned in the signature to some postings on BronxRoots that she'd lived in
Co-op City from 1971 to 1983 back in early 1998, corrected her email to this
in December 2003.
Joy Willenger (Bolewicki) <willinge@rci.rutgers.edu>
says she lived in Co-op City from 1971-1988, with the exception of the years she was away in college.
Typo in email displayed in that old entry corrected October 4, 2004
Arthur Zinaman<ArtyZ@comcast.net> Lived
in Building 4, 1969-1977; played paddleball with Steve Friedman behind
Garage 1. Updated his email on April 20, 2007.
Marvin Joss <mjoss@netcong.org>
Lived in bldg 28A from 1970 to 1980, went to I.S. 181 and graduated Truman in 1979
Matthew Hillman <GMTMaster2@aol.com> Lived
in Section 5, Building 27a. Went to I.S. 180 1972 to 1976, and Truman High School 1977 to 1980.
Eddie Oroszi <TEXXSTAR@webtv.net> is
a former Riverbay worker. He wonders if the Ric-Well
project is finished. (I'm amazed that it wasn't finished
long before he last saw it in February 1998.)
Joey Carbone <joeyc6620000@yahoo.com>
signed in on July 19, 2004, noting he was a former resident who watched the construction.
(This address may not be valid.)
Zenobia Concepcion, Section 5 1971-1978
<Zenobishlet@aol.com>
signed in on December 22, 2004, and added on June 24, 2006, "I
would like to find residents who lived in Co-op City Section 5
for the year 2006."
List of people whose parents or grandparents live or lived in Co-op City
At my twenty-year high school reunion, June 1999, I was surprised to find
that the parents of three of my classmates, all original tenants,
are still living in their now-empty nests.
still
live in Co-op (Herman and Lorraine Herbet) in Building 2.
Mitchell Silvers <
Msilv53691@AOL.COM> says his grandparents, David and Jenny
Silvers, and his parents, Gerald and Sheila Silvers, lived in Co-op City.
When I mentioned this site to my co-worker (in Billerica, MA) on
November 25, 2003, he said his great-aunt lives in Co-op City.
Hi to all my friends & family from 1978-1992. You would have seen me all over Co-op City back in the day either in the Paddleball courts (section #3--now #5) (cutting the ball) -or- Dj-ing crazy jams in the centers in #1, #3 & #5 sections. Along with some wild house parties mostly around 1983-1987. Old school hip hop !!!!!
Baseball & softball were other activities I was into (have been in the Co-op City times often). Would love to hear from old friends with memories from back-in-the-day !!!! SEND Pictures..........
I lived in Section 4 Braun Place in the townhouses from 1971-1976. It was a great place to live. Is there anyone out there from this period? Phyllis P., Leanne W., Dale K., Daniell aand Michelle S.???
I used to live in Co-op City for 14 years. I can say that I had alot of good times there and some bad. But it was a good place to live. I remember the Velez brothers especially Gary Velez. He was the first person to give me a nickname (sunshine). Any who I also knew Darryl Rojas. I lost contact with him back in 85-86. Not sure where he went. I have found a couple of friends on my own, but I would love to say hi! Also how can yo have a High School Reunion. I went to Truman as well. Why haven't we had one? Would like to findout how you can? Also I am looking for a guy name Brian Stephens. He lived in the building right across from I.S.181, but it was the triple core building. He pcould see the bus stop from his house in section 1. His mom was a Postal Worker. Also where is Gumby?
Hi---Lived in Co-op Ciy over 25 years ago. Anyone remember a Robert--went by the name Bob Les Gros--very tall, had a brother and a sister? Know where he is or his email? A friend from then, Karen
I'm looking for my old friend Ilene Shwartz from the 70's- we were inseparable until we went as volunteers to Israel and we lost touch. Ilene lived in Co Op city with her mother. Anyone kmow her whereabouts?? Thanks!
Thanks for creating this site. Fond memories of Co-op City. I was original
pioneer, my parents moved me in 1968 into Building 1A. Went to
Michaelangelo and Evander Childs, Queens College, then SUNY at
Albany, then University of Illinois. Now live outside Baltimore.
Friends were Ira Bloom, Norman Werner, the Silverbergs, Marc Cimbal,
Jordan Camp, Paul Jaffe.......
While I was at Illinois, my mother got her pocket book stolen and
knocked down in her own lobby. Thief reportedly ran across the New Englanf Thruway.
Summers went to Shorehaven.
Coop City was good experience, however I feel Evander Childs, and their
lack of student control, robbed me of a good high school experience.
Had to leave the school on time every day, and not join any oputside
activities, or take life ending risks waiting at the bus stop.
I was the first persom ever to hit a home run in Co-op City Little League
History. I still have the news clip from Co-op City News.
First person to be barmitzvahed in Co-op City.
Anybody, feel free to give me a holler.
I used to live in building 5C and played in Pine Island with my little brother
tagging along behind me. I attended 178, 181 and Truman (class of 89). Growing
up in Co-op was so much fun and no matter how far away life has taken me, Co-op
will forever be home. It has changed a lot. I was last there visiting my father
who lives in building 4B in Dec 2006. I wish to reconnect with some of my
old friends, so if interested drop me a line. Take care and God Bless! Lisa
Hi there. My name is David just googling coop city.
I lived there from 1970 till 1989 Build 15b Aldrich St and my mom moved out not to long ago.
Went to school PS 153, first class to graduate then IS 180 then the big Truman.
My sister was the first class to grad from there.
A lot of roots there I have to say.
I hung out in the Bartow plaza and Photophonics for years.
Remember the game room high score on the all games hummmmmmmmmmmm.
Also remember Larry from the pizza shop.
That was so long ago.
If anyone remembers those days shoot me an email to dma1109@aol.com.
Ah, your website brings back a lot of memories! I grew up on Debs Place in Building 10 from 1970-1980 until my family moved to one of the townhouses on Debs Place. My parents still live there. I now live on the other side of the world--in Brisbane Australia, married, and look back on my days in Co-op City with happiness and reverence.
I was just realizng that I had to give a shout out to all the peeps that made my childhood so special! Anthony and Monty, Ronnie, Mike Seranno, Kenny, Stu, Fred, Jeff Silva, Mark "Wetfork" Driespoon, Brock, Duncan, Rich Kwalick, Ralph Figueroa! And all the girls I had crushes on, but were too scared to approach--Wendy Spiteri, Denise Rodregiuez, Lamar, Rochelle, and I cannot forget Lisa Pargament (I had the biggest crush on you growing up!)!
I lived in Co-op City from 1972-2005 Building 25 and then got my own place
right across the street in 22B.
I now live in the Clinton Hills Section of Brooklyn,
it’s a very nice area but nothing will ever be like Co-op City.
My son Richie emailed me this site. My family and I lived in Bldg. 10C from about 1974 to 1991. I managed little league teams there for about 6 years and worked on the volunteer ambulance corps. If anyone remembers me, please write. I miss all the fun I had at Coop City. I live in Arizona now but my kids still live in the Bronx, Queens and Upstate NY.
I lived in Building 10 from 1974 to 1991.
I saw my old friend on here Daryl Rojas.
Email addy is no good though.
I hung with a pretty crazy crew back then.
People like Portland Haynes, Brandon Cruz,
Kenny Henderson, Frank Caraballo and many more.
I was pretty popular from my Little League years
and playing for Truman. Anyone that knows me
hit me up on the email.
RICHES2004@AOL.COM
Take care.
I found your pictures very reminiscent. I thought I was in one of them!
I lived in building 2, moved in 1969, went to Michaelangelo then to Evander, then Truman.
I became School District Administrator as well as a manager for three great rock bands who originated from hanging out at the Community Center.
I wish we could gather a bunch of Co-op People and have a reunion.
Mitch Kesselman and The Decider's, Ricky Lance Lane and The Gentz will be performing at Don Hill's July 27th at 9:00. Can we rally some oldies but goodies to come?
Respectfully,
Elyse (Levine)Hyde elyhyde@optonline.net
516 695 8312
Come have a rockin' time seeing our old friends perform.
This site is awesome. I graduated from Truman in 1976,
the first graduating class. I now live on Long Island,
married with 2 children. Would love to hear from you.
What's up? It's Brian Richman. Awsome site! I actually found a
few friends in the last 10 minutes on this site that I haven't
seen since 1979, when I was 13 years old. Yes, that makes me 42.
I lived in Bldg.11 A Carver Loop with my younger brother Mark
from 1970-1979. We hung out on the basketball courts, in the
stairways, had rock fights in the sand boxes between bldg 11
and bldg.10 and even got caught shoplifting at Cappy's. Didn't
everyone? We hung out with Stefan Callender, Tony Labriola,
Lisa Latronica, Karen Trevoli, Lisa Rodriguez, Jonathan Kaplan
and many others I can't think of right now. Anyone had Mr. Sagrin
in PS 178 and went up to his farm? That was the first time out
of the Bronx for me. I grew up in Ft. Lauderdale but now living
in Lynchburg Va (please help me). Anyone who wants can contact
me at Gymnst37@hotmail.com.
Wow, what a site! That's all I can say about it.
My name is Harris London and I lived in Building 21B
from 1971-1987 or so. I've lived in Riverdale or
Yonkers since. Nothing compares to co-op, you went
outside your friends were out. If not you would
ring their bell and they came down. Much more to
say but I am sure you have seen it all by now.
Maybe you should update the server on the site or
something, half the links are unavailable. I repeat
myself, great site. Good luck. I was a co-op city
student all the way: PS153, IS180, Harry S Truman HS(1986).
Thank you for your kind words.
The Geocities mirror is not maintained. For the last few
years the main version of the site has been at comcast.net
but I am planning to move it to be hosted somewhere
with a direct URL like coopcity.info. If I move it, that
would be a time to check all the dead links. I've got some
recently submitted pictures I'll have to add in on their
own page also.
I lived in bldg. 24 from 1974-1998. I went to P.S.153, I.S. 180 & Columbus HS.
I have fond memories of Co-op, especially the fairs, the fireworks & Bronx House. I was in the band at I.S.180 from 86-88. Wonderful memories!
Favorite teachers: Mr. Wilder (music), Mr.Squillante (social studies) and Mrs. Nobilie (math).
I still live in the Bronx and am happily married for 6 years.
Drop me a line!
Co-Op City was a refuge for many of us living in parts of the Bronx that
had changed and were run down. Overall, it was a very good experience and
I made the most of it. Just wish I had kept in touch with my friends.
Also had the chance to draw a comic strip in the Co-Op City Times which
gave me exposure and helped when applying to various art schools.
Would love to hear from old friends.
It's been some time. Moved into co-op in '69.
Went through little yellow school house, I.S. 178, I.S.181 and Truman.
Purchase my own apt in Co-op in '86 and finally moved in '93 to Fla.
Never would of guessed I would have ended up in Fla before I turned gray.
Well I did. If anyone is out there from the old crew, drop me an email-
Health, wealth and happiness to all!!!
I just wanted to say that Co-op City was such an enormous part of my life and who I am.
I lived there from 1974-1993. The majority of my life was in section 5 building 30A apt. 9B.
We then moved to sec. 4 building 21B apt. 5C. One of my most fondest memories is being part
of Aranka's dance school. Man I miss her. If anyone remembers me or wants to talk about
Co-op drop me a line at reelneet@cox.net
I never lived in Co op but taught at Truman
from 1973-1997. I loved scanning through the
entire site because I'm sure I taught at
least half of the names I encountered. I'm
retired now and living in Rockland County,
I loved everyday that I taught at Truman.
Wow. I recognize a fair number of names here.
Some of them are people I didn't actually know but
knew their brothers, sisters, children or friends
they mention. I started writing some comments in
my head as I was reading through the site, but it
would take about 10 pages to cover it all. David,
I believe you knew my brother Steve - I think you
were/are about a year or two older than me, I knew
your brother Robert (not real well, but I knew him),
who was/is about a year or two younger than me.
I went to BxSci. I was in cub scouts and boy
scouts - even made it all the way to Eagle. Moved
into Bldg 9 in 1969 when I was 6 - first grade,
and moved to California when I graduated high
school in 1981 at 17 (I was born in Sept. and left
in August '81, which is why the numbers don't
quite add up in case you're wondering). I can
rattle off about 30+ names off the top of my head
of people I knew and hung out with in co-op. A
handful have already been mentioned here, so many
more have not been mentioned. Sad to hear about
Pamela Root, I remember when she was still rolling
around in a baby carriage. I notice someone else
wrote about the "stage", I remember when they
built it - and long before it actually existed.
When I moved in, there were still rock piles near
my building. As I said, I could go on for 10 pages,
possibly more. So many people to mention. I didn't
just hang out at bldg. 9, which by the way was a
big center of attraction for us kids - I'd estimate
more than 50 of us would be hanging out on some
summer nights, eventually splitting off into smaller groups.
I visited other bldgs and the kids there from time
to time. Kids came from all over co-op to hang out
with us at bldg 9. There were probably a good 20
of us just living in the building itself. Mike, D'wayne,
Mitch, Ronny C., Mark L., Vinnie, Keith, Steven S., Rob B.,
Steven G., Vance & Dot, Steve & Danny P., Laurie (2nd floor),
Lale (Lolly) and her sister, Peter & Howie, Steve R.,
James, Yolanda & Tiki. And more whose names escape me
at the moment. Not all of these people hung out with us,
but since they lived in the bldg I figure it's only fair
to mention them.
People from bldg 3&4 would hang out with us on a
regular basis, a few from 12, 13 & 14, some from
bldg 6, 7 & 8, 10, 11, even from as far away as
bldg 23 and others if memory serves. Some came
on a regular basis, others came less often. There
was almost always something happening at bldg. 9 -
despite our complaints about being bored. Oh the
stories I could tell. Ultimate Frisbee in the
street, almost every night during the summer,
around midnight. Anyone remember "Serpico" (or
was it Serf?) ? One of the security guards we
nicknamed - we liked him, very cool guy. Never
hassled us and we in turn never hassled him.
Anyone remember the blackout that was isolated
to Co-op? Not the big NYC one. There was an
announcement in the local paper that the reason
for it was unexplained. It happened seconds
after Mike and I looked out my window and used
his CB Walkie Talkie to try and contact a UFO
we saw. ("Come in UFO, come in UFO... do you
read? 3 seconds of static and then the
blackout - you decide). There was no doubt
in our minds. Anyone else see UFO's in Co-op?
I remember pointing one out to Karen K. (or
was it Lisa? pretty sure it was Karen) while
we were sitting on a bench on the side of
the building one summer night. "Oh my God,
is that a UFO? Is it? Is it?" Twin sparkles
of light moving slowly like a car with
headlights in the sky, slowly... and then
suddenly split apart and head in opposite
directions so fast they were gone in a blink
of an eye. That was no man-made object.
Remember the tire swings in the sandbox in the
back of the building? Or the fort in the other
sandbox just past that one on the other side
of the pine trees? Maybe I'll write again another
time and drop some names from other bldgs., and
from high school (an entirely different crowd for
the most part, but with some overlap from Co-op;
we all used to ride the bus to school - a few have
already been mentioned by others in these pages,
some posting themselves).
Thanks for the walk down memory lane.
Thank you for all you added, and thanks for sending
email when the
mailform got backed up. I think I've
cleared it up now. (Comcast enforces both a quota on
memory usage for all mail, and a quota on the count of
mailform entries, and I had too many.)
I lived in Co-Op City (Cooper Place Townhouses) from May 26, 1971
to March 30, 1990. I can't say that I miss the place, although
I must admit that it is better now than it was when I left
16 years ago (except for the fact that the Greenway is now a
massive parking lot). What's up Greg and Lenny?
Lived in Coop '79-89 in both buildings 13 and then 2.
Graduated Truman in 1983. Would love to hear from anyone
that remembers me. My memeories are limited. Would love
to hear from David Sonsol, Nancy Bernstein,Danny Perez,
Larissa Golub, Ned Latner?
We were as original as original can get. Co-op opened 12/11/68.
We moved into Building 1 1/7/69. Eventually to Bldg 7, 33rd floor,
but the roof leaked on my head, so we moved to Bldg 5. Went cross
country in a camper in summer of 85, came back and was in the US Navy
firing missiles by 1986. Discharged in San Diego in 1990 and stayed
in Cali for 12 total years, Moved back to NY in 2001, where I stayed
with brother in Bldg 5 for 10 months till I found a place. The new
elevators are nice. The parking blows. One day in 2040 or somewhere
around there, Discovery Channel will host the biggest implosion ever
of 35 buildings. I will be there in my Depends, drinking beer, and
puffing a J in a beach chair.
My name is Karen Gaines and I lived in Co-op City in bldg.12 from 1970-1973. At that time I was Karen Coleman. I lived there with my parents and my brother until we moved to SC in 1973. I was 13 when we moved to Co-op and spent my teen years there and I loved Co-op City. I have nicknamed it the Emerald City. I get the same reaction that Dorothy had in the Wizard of Oz when she saw the Emerald City for the first time every time I turn that curve on I 95 and see it off in the distance.
I have finally been able to reconnect with some long lost friends, form section 5, and great "roots"!
Co-op will always occupy a warm place in my heart! We lived there between 1971 - 1987, my family members were Jeff, Russell and Elisa! All doing well!
Thanks for the memories!!!
Hi. I have lived in Co-Op City, on and off (between college and various life transitions) since 1975 (when I was born). I am currently getting my doctorate in Sociology and have written two research papers about my peer cohort from Co-op. Incidentally, we are all still very close. The first paper focused on how the neighborhood effects of Co-Op City influenced various members life chances and current lifestyles. The second paper focused on the neighborhood destination choices of my Co-Op friends (many of whom are now buying their first homes), and how being raised in Co-Op City undermined and influenced their current destination choices. One significant finding from my research confirms that all my friends from Co-Op would rather live in a neighborhood that maintains class solidarity over racial solidarity. I should add that of the cohort in this study, three are white (2 Jewish), One is Black, One is Indian, and the remainder are Hispanic, and yet they all pointed to the fact that since we were raised in a diverse community, they cannot consciously see themselves living in a racially homogeneous neighborhood. I hope to turn these research papers into chapters for my dissertation, which I then hope to turn into a comprehensive study (book) about various aspects of Co-Op City. I have not come across any such research or study about Co-Op City, so I would like to pioneer this effort in some way. If anyone on this site was born and raised in Co-Op, is currently in their late twenties or early thirties, and would like to be included in my research, please email me at judyperez@verizon.net. I look forward to hearing from you.
Lived in Co-Op City from 1974 - 1995.
I lived there with my Sister Denise, Dad Richard and Mom Carol.
I left in 1995 obviously for Atlanta, Ga , where I have lived since.
I am a 1985 Truman High School Grad. I have 2 children, 2 boys, Elijah 5 and Micah 20 months
and have been married for 6 years now. I recently lost my mom Carol J Horton to her
bout with cancer on 5/5/05. I lived in Section 5 where my mom was very active in the community.
David, I believe we may have gone to school together.
I went to P.S. 181 and Harry S. Truman graduated in 1982 there are
a lot of people that I reconize. Thank you for this website.
We were all very lucky to have lived in such a diverse neighborhood.
That would have put you in my brother's class at P.S. 153 and I.S. 181
I lived in building 18 since they opened that section up.
I was always eather chatting away on my CB radio or riding around on my bike.
I had made a lot of cool friends back then but you can't turn back the clock.
I wish I could find really one guy, charlie tuna, we were pretty good friends
I hope he's doing just great.
I remember I took a bunch of kids on a camping trip,
I really loved camping back then...
Hi everyone, fond memories of bldg 16, P.S.153, I.S. 180 and the Nickelodeon Deli.
Ilene Horowitz, where are you?
Veronica, I do remember your mother trying very hard to teach me ballet,
(Alley cat theme runs through my brain)
I would also like to find Joan and Abe Magsitsa, Jerry Glanzrock, and Steven B. Kaufman.
Does anyone remember Elizabeth Cutler? She was the daughter of Mrs. Cutler's 3rd grade class back in the 70's,
and has anyone located Mr. Friedman from P.S. 153?
He practically saved my mother (Phyllis the belly dancer)'s life when she broke her back.
I remember the steep hill from bldg 16 to the school,
and every year the fair would show up in section 1 outside the shopping center.
I pray you are all well and may God bless you,
New email-<d7bible@yahoo.com>
Dori
Moved into Section 5, Bldg 33 in September 1971 and
was bldg Captain for many years. In 1981 didn't need
6 1/2 rooms so moved to Bldg 20 (the white house)
across from the power station where I lived until
August 1998 when I retired with my wife Irene to Kings
Point Tamarac where ther are hundreds of Co-op Cityites.
I was very Active with Co-op City Post #1871 American
Legion where I spent one year as Commander and was
also active with University-Co-op City Lodge #720
Knights of Pythias where I was a 20 year dual member
and held many offices. My daughter Helene went to the
schools in Co-op as did my son Steven who graduated
from Bronx High School of Science and continued on
to Lehman College. Today he is associated with Macy's
as an Executive Vice President of Operations in Long
Island. In all my years in Co-op City I was also involved
with many other organizations and wrote articles for
the Co-op Times and the City News. Our time spent
in Co-op City was a wonderful experience and we won't
forget it as some others who knocked it as soon as
they left. To each his own and to all living there
now I send my best wishes.
My name is Valeria Johnson. I just wanted to say that
I LOVED looking through your site on Co-op City. It
brought back such great memories. I was born (1973)
and raised there, Building 23. My husband lived in
Building 7. We lived in building 4C for awhile, until
2 years ago we moved to Atlanta.
Hi, Your comments brought back a lot of memories.
The photos are great. Wonder if you could help me
find someone that used to live in Co-op when I was
there? His name Robert Les Gros (think that's the
spelling) Any sites I can check that list how to get
in touch with people that used to live in Co-op? Thanks
for the help and the memories, Karen
I used to hang out in the shopping center in Section
One circa 1976. I miss all the people I hung with
.. they were the greatest .. anyone can contact me
via email .. bobtrains@aol.com
. Hope you are all healthy and doing well!!
Just wanted to let people know that Jeffery Kimmel,
originally of Building 12 passed away at the age of
29 in 1987. He is very much missed .. wanted to know
if any friends are still around, like Suzie Rothblatt,
Carol Brown, Jerry Sadrianna, Les Schiffman, Arnie
Schafransky, Kid Clutch, Mindy Kimmel .. you guys can
hit me up at bobtrains@aol.com
. I graduated from Science in 1975 and now I'm
a locomotive engineer for Metro-North on the Harlem
division. I had some of the greatest times in my life
in Co-Op and I still see Rubin Lichtenstein, who lives
in Va Beach. I live in Brewster, NY, and I'm the proud
parent of my "clone" Bobby who is 17. Love to all!!
Bobby 0x0x0x0 aka Bodo
Hi everybody, I used to live in Bldg.10 from 1970-1979,
now in ft.lauderdale, would love to hear from anybody
that remembers me. I used to go to I.S.181 and 1 year
at Truman before moving to Ft. Lauderdale.
If you've got any pictures, send them or their URLs
to me, and I'll add them, either at your entry or on
one of the photo pages.
Moved to Co-Op in 1972 and, except for college, lived
there til 1989. What a great place (with a lot of
great friends) to grow up in. I'd love to hear from
those I've lost touch with.
I lived in bldg. 24 apt 10-H from 1971-1985. I went
to P.S. 150, I.S. 180, and graduated from Truman in
1985. I now live in Las Vegas with my wife Kerry.
I still hang out with my best friend Chris Cherot.
Loking for the crew from Mr. Fine's 5th grade class.
The play Wizard of Oz. I knew Claudia Barash. What memories.
Moved in as a teenager
Jeannette Yuni Kwartler <jsk501@aol.com>
writes on January 15, 2005:
I grew up in Co-op City as a teenager. I was 15 1/2
when I moved in. What a great time we had. Hanging
by shopping center 1 on Dreiser Loop. Those were the
days. The teen lounge. Love to hear from old friends.
I lived in Co-op City from 1970-1983 in Building
6. Then I got married and moved to Building 1. Have
two sons. It was great growing here. Dreiser Loop,
Section 1 was a great hangout. Looking for old friends
to say hello to.
I moved into Co-op City in Feb.
1970. Hung out by Building 6, Shopping Center One,
there was even a teen lounge in the Center. What memories.
Where did everyone go? Would love to hear from the
old crowd. I already heard fro a few people.
I
went to Evander H.S.
I now work for the Dept. of Education.
I am married with two sons.
And adds on July 6, 2006:
CO-OP CITY WAS THE PLACE TO LIVE BACK IN THE 70'S.
We were the original Gang that lived in Section # 1
Hi my name is Jeff Magsitza, I lived in building
4A apt 2e when co-0p city first opened up. I hung
out with the first group of people that started everything
you see there now. We started the Co-op City Rams
baseball and football team. My best friends were Gary
Funkyman, Dave, Terri, Richie, Tommy, Steve, Arty
Ricky, Jeff K., Debbie, Nancy, Wendy, Laurie, Susie,
Rozie,etc. We were the original crew in the day. If
anyone who remembers me and wants to contact me, please do
I am a former Co-Op
Citizen (1970-1986) and am also the person who prosecuted
the guy with the weaponry, maps, and spy equipment.
His name was Zsolt Racz (a/k/a George Buko) and was
an illegal alien from Hungary who had overstayed his
welcome here and ignored the INS order denying him
asylum and demanding he leave. He suffers from significant
mental illness; however, he was certainly aware of
his possession of significant amounts of explosives
as well as a number of guns, a ton of ammunition and
the like. It was eagle-eyed NYPD guys who stopped
him and they were quick to credit Michael Reay (whom
I don't know) for a job well done. In fact these heroic
cops made it clear that Mr. Reay was one of the few
civilians who: a) stopped to help when they were in
need; and b) didn't hinder their ability to detain
Racz (i.e by throwing items out of their windows.
. .) Mr. Racz was convicted of significant weapons,
explosives, and assault charges and was subsequently
sentenced to eight years in prison, and five years
of intensive post-release supervision. Additionally
he has agreed to be deported - so the supervision
is sort of academic - once his eight years is finished
he will be on a one way flight to Hungary.
Michael Reay is no doubt a good guy. My position has
been, what have been their past experiences with NYPD
and Co-op Security that the other residents were so
quick to assume the worst and respond as they did?
I don't share Hizzoner's views of the Bronx and its
residents (animals -- January 2005). And as for Racz/Buko,
he certainly seems like a loose cannon, but it's also
clear that he had harmed no one. I like to think that
I'm mentally stable (we Hungarians are known for our
hot bloodedness :-) ) but I also possess a bicycle,
weaponry, maps, and electronics that could easily
be characterized as "spy equipment" (GPS, police scanner).
(I'm a US national, and any guns and ammo are lawfully
held under my Massachusetts license, but if I ever
run afoul of the law I'm sure the press will have
a field day with the random techie bits and bicycle
and car bits I keep, and my "arsenal", and I even
have enough fuel oil that, if mixed with fertilizer,
it would go boom. [My oil company has let me run out
from time to time.])
What ever happened to Alan Kimbarrow Bldg 8? I still
live in the bldg and I work at I.S 181. Please contact
me if anybody knows his whereabouts. 1-917-282-3933.
I think the longevity record holder
has already signed in, but you must be in second place!
Bowlerland: that rings a bell, but you left no name. There are many people named Steve if
that is your real name -- that was a fun time -- brings back many memories.
I saw your website and it brought back a flood of memories. My name is Cristina CORSO
and I lived in Building 6 on Dekruif Place in apartment 32D from 1970 to 1982. I went
to the following schools:
Nursery - Shopping center #1 basement: '70 - '71
First grade - Yellow schoolhouse: '71 - '72
PS 178: '72 - '75
IS 181: '75 - '79
Bronx H.S. of Science: '79 - 83
I would love to get in touch with any old schoolfriends or neighbors that may remember me.
I now live in the South of France but visit the U.S. often.
Thanks for everything,
Cristina
Exactly 4 years behind me in those schools! You're quite welcome.
Moved to Building 4B in 1969 went to IS 144 then Bx Science (70-73)
Queens College (73-77) and St. John's Law School (77-80)
Interested in hearing from anyone from those early days. Living in Co-op was
pure heaven on earth for me. I moved from the South Bronx and thought I was
living in a pent house. We now had two bathrooms and air conditioning. I never
experienced air conditioning in a home before. Moving saved my life and Co-op
served its purpose for my family. The family is living across the country and
I live in Westfield New Jersey. .
I never had a run with Security.
I know what you mean -- we felt like we'd moved to the country!
Wow -- amazing site! Lived in Section 4 from 1970-1978. The
first 8 years of my life! Very nostalgic and sentimental place for me. Desperately
trying to find Gloria Feldman or her brother Larry Feldman! Best wishes to all those
that have experienced Co-op!
It was a great place to live back in the 70's. My good
buddy Stu Weitz is still there. I was talking to him earlier today and he believes he
moved into building 1 just 8 days after it opened. He is still in Co-Op in another
building but in Co-Op all along. Can anyone be there longer? LOL
I used to hang near building 2 around '73 & '74. Went to Co-Op Camp from '70 till '72,
Shorehaven in '73 & '74. Always riding my bike back then with Stu. I moved upstate in
'74 from Bldg 11C where I lived since it's beginning. Give me a shout if you remember
me.
Hey folks, Stuart is alive and well and still maintains an apartment here in Coop. It
seems like I may hold the unofficial title of "Coop's" longest residing tenants.
December 28th 1968 to present 9/04. I still ride my bicycle every day! I own an Audio
Video sales and installation facility in the city. I am currently finishing
construction on a house in Sullivan county. If anyone wants to chat with a true "Coop"
old timer give me a holler
I've been wondering how many
original tenants are still in their apartments -- from time to time
I learn that empty-nesters haven't moved -- but you
may well be the longest-tenured Co-op City tenant. (13 years after
leaving their apartment, my parents are the
longest-tenured residents in their 150-unit condo complex in
New Hampshire -- not so amazing an achievement.)
Fifth-grade homeroom classmate!
Fifth-grade classmate Stacy Kay Sercus <ssercus@kpnx.com>
wrote on March 4, 1999:
Everything I needed to learn about life I learned in Co-Op City!
It was an education in life. I would love to hear from other I.S. 181 grads of
1976!
She updated her email on August 31, 2004, and adds:
I graduated from IS181x and then moved to California in 1977.
Currently I live in Phoenix Arizona. Is there anyone from Co-op out
here?
Note
If you sent me mail or filled out a guest register form during
August, 2004, I may have lost the mail when Norton Anti-Virus
and Microsoft Outlook got into a fight. Please resend it, especially
if you have no entry immediately above or below.
I just visited the site 1st time.
I grew up in Section 5 from 1971-1989.
I graduated Truman class of '89. moved to Calif.
I haven't been back in 15 yrs.
I just visited july 6th 2004 with my Family to show
them where I grew up. I was excited and saddened at the
same time to see the greenways turned into parking lots,
my playground sand boxes turned into grass covered walk
ways, and garages closed, parking really bad. All in all
it was a great trip to show my Wife Annmarie,daughter
Dominique 16 yrs, son Jon Jr. 10yrs who are from the
west coast. I have lots of great memories of co-cop
never will forget it ... I hope to come back again someday.
Hopefully co-op will get its beauty back. Because it was
a great place to grow up Thanks
Your site has brought back memories from over 30 years ago.
My wife I lived in section 5 for about four years from 1972.
My in-laws lived in section one and my wife's grandmother lived
in section two. Great memories and a great place to live. I think
we moved out just before the rent strike. Never had a better
apartment for the money. Two bedrooms, parquet floors, utilities
and a/c for way under $400 month. We really had to scrape together
the money for the apartment, though. Really had some GOOD times!!!
Thanks for the memories.
David you developed a great website full of history, great job.
Presently in Building 27, moved in in 1998.
Found Co-op City tranquil
An anoynymous contributor
writes on July 14, 2004:
I moved to Co-Op City in the summer of 1993. I lived there with relatives.
In the year that I was there, it felt good to not hear the sounds of gunshots
every night. Having lived in the Washington DC - Metropolitan area, I was
expecting the same thing in the Bronx. Boy, am I glad that I was wrong!
It was a peaceful area. You can go outside late in the evening and it was
pretty much a safe bet that you would be just fine. The crime rate was
almost nonexistent!
After leaving Co-Op City, I missed the tranquility of the suburbs, the
convenience of stores, and the diverse environment. What a place! If
I were to get work in NY again, I would surely move back to Co-Op City!!
I guess it's all a matter of perspective.
A story is told that a Parisian decided to see Moscow. He got on the train,
and when it got as far as Warsaw, he had never seen so grey and dismal a city,
and he assumed he'd arrived in Moscow.
Meanwhile a Muscovite decided to see Paris. He got on the train going west,
and when it got as far as Warsaw, he had never seen so bright and colorful
a city, and he assumed he'd arrived in Warsaw.
I grew up in Co-op City from 1974-1996, and my parents and
grandmother still live there. I'm a writer, and I've written a
book about my upbringing in the Bronx (Co-op in particular).
Check out www.akashicbooks.com/scars.htm
The book is called "Scars..."
and comes out in October. I'll be reading at the Bay Plaza Barnes & Noble!
I lived in Co-op City from 1976 - 1998. and have had
many good times with the people here. I just recently returned for a short
while and thought this was a great way to catch up with the people I have
missed. Thanks
I lived in building 3 apt. 9-B I hung out with the whole gang from section 1.
My bro is Jimmy Facciponti who now lives in
Georgia.
Currently I live in California and became a nurse.
This site brought back so many memories and so many names I recognize.
I am the girl in
dance1.jpg and
dance2.jpg
I lived in Building 17, Section 3, 120 Alcott Place, from June 1970 (when I was 10) to November 1972.
Not a long time, but I have very fond memories of the place and hope to go back to visit soon after 32 years!
I was among the very first 6th graders at IS 180, along with such kids as Shawn Bernhardt,
Joany Dalen, Robin Haas, Richard Labriola, Howie Shulman, Jennifer Levy, Carolyn Soldi,
Elaine Champaign (sp?)(she and I also attended PS 122 together in the Kingsbridge section of the Bronx),
and kids whose last names I can't remember: Beth, Frankie, Yvette,Iris, Gwendolyn.... I would have
graduated from Truman HS in 1978 but finished junior high in the suburbs, where I also went to HS.
And I have a question-- is the artificial grass still there, or have they replaced it with the real thing?
I was born and raised in Co-op City for the first
sixteen years of my life (1974-1990). I remember when Bay Plaza was a big empty
lot full of tall weeds and discarded tires, and then when half the stores in the
mall were Fayva shoe stores. ;-) If you attended I.S. 180 between 1984-88, I
was probably that girl everyone was picking on.
This is what happens with google and a free half hour.
Lived in bldg. 28 from 1973-1977 / first graduate (literally) of Truman HS/
relocated long ago to Los Angeles. Life gets more interesting...
Praise for Michael Reay
An anonymouse contributor
writes on April 29, 2004:
Michael Reay who lives in building 24, restrained an
armed terrorist and saved two NYPD officers' lives. The terrorist had a spy
camera with photos of all structural aspects of Co-Op City's Power Plant.
Michael was given many awards including the Tiffany Apple from Raymond Kelly,
Police Commissioner. A mention of Michael on your site would be appreciated,
because in the Newspapers, it was made out that Co-Op Security were responsible
and they weren't even there. Michael did not even know most of the officers who
received awards along with himself. He received an award from Co-Op City
Police, the highest award given to civilians, the Di Napolis award for heroism
and bravery. Many other awards including one from the Building Association at
Building 24. Please mention Michael, as we are all proud of him.
So mentioned, as requested. Any details, citations,
references, dates, and so forth would be appreciated here.
It's nice to look at old photos. I live in Lancaster
PA now and people here have never even heard of Co-op.
I show them the pics and
they can't comprehend...Thanks..
Isn't that Amish country? Outside of New York
and a few other cities, things of our scale are
simply not found.
Moved from Castle Hill to building 4C in 1969.
Played tons of paddleball by garage 1;
hung out (way too much!) at the west side of building 2;
went to CC day camp, Michealangelo IS144, then Bronx Science.
1969-1978. Good friends with Terrence Jones, Bruce Goldberg, Howie Friedman,
Jeff Freifeld, Larry Marks, Michelle Schwartz, Esta Algava, Joe Terillo, Stuart
Weitz. Living in Colorado now. Cheers to all!
I have lived in Coop City for 5 years and I still am a resident.
I attended P.S. 178 for 4 years and in my fourth grade year I was their school leader.
Then when I graduated I went to M.S.181 and from there I went to boarding school.
I have a brother who currently goes to MS 181 and a sister who graduated last year.
I love the environment Co-op City puts forth. It is an amazing place.
I lived in sec. 5 bldg 31 from 1971 to 1988.
Grad Truman in 1980. Living in Seattle, WA since 1988.
Old friends drop me an email
and let me know what's up!
I'm a former resident of
bldg 16B and a 14 year
veteran of the Co-op City
Dept of Public Safety
It was great living in Co-op I will miss it
I still work here and
would like to see the people of Co-op kept updated on the good work
the DPS does for them
on a daily basis
not just the unfortunate
incidents that occurred
decades ago.
I certainly have a bone to pick with Security, and it
runs deeper than the more verifiable facts I've posted.
While a resident, time and again I'd see them give Community
Complaints to the little kids for crap, but not deal with the
teenage hoods who scared them. My brother got one when he was
about 6 years old for throwing pebbles at the old fibreglass
playground equipment behind Building 1 (I think the sandpit later
known as Pine Island.) I've seen Security officers striding across
the same front lawns they'd ordered me off of.
I received a Community Complaint for "hanging laundry out a
window" (yup, that was the code the guy checked) one night
when I was performing a minor (I could do it myself without
special tools) emergency (the car wouldn't go without it)
repair in the garage spot I was paying for, and it was a
complete coincidence I'm sure, since fully 90% of the force
had never been arrested, that after he took a good look around
my car my stereo was stolen later that night.
There was one time, when I was living with my parents, that
I came out of our apartment to see our neighbor, whom we'd
known for more than 10 years at the time, talking to a Security
officer at her door, over a noise complaint. "Oh, Mrs. M_____
were we too noisy when we came by before?" "No, you boys are
fine, it's coming from upstairs." M. Poirot promptly radioed
back to dispatch "I've located the problem, it was two boys
on the floor in the corridor."
A few times early on I'd asked for assistance, and they'd tell me "No,
that took place on the street -- that's out of our jurisdiction",
so I held them to that standard when they harassed me and my brother
on DeKruif Place, and we decided "We don't live here any more,
we know what it's like in the outside world, and we're not going
to put up with any more crap from self-important busybodies"
and stood our ground, and politely explained that we were not
on Riverbay property, and no, we would not identify ourselves,
nor would we move my brother's vehicle until we were ready.
We also asked what was different about our actions than those
of that guy over there, who was doing the same thing, and
didn't get any answer.
(I'd lived in my parents' apartment for two years after college,
years that included a strike by Security. The crap that went on
then, including the lack of parking in the garages, and the 45th
Precinct insisting that theft of service/trespass is a community matter,
but backing up a ramp to park is a moving violation, were among
the final straws. NYC at the time had officially decided Bernie
Goetz was more villain than hero, and things had gotten worse
citywide thereafter. My brother had left for college in 1982,
and never turned back. He moved from college directly to New
Hampshire.)
As things progressed that night, one of the incompetents demonstrated
a complete lack of understanding of the notion of "probable cause"
by declaring that the furniture in the vehicle "could be a valuable
antique, and if we didn't identify ourselves he would be forced to
do a floor-by-floor search to see if anybody was missing any".
At the time I wrote that page, and several years earlier when I'd
retained an attorney, all I wanted was an apology for being handcuffed
in the lobby of my parents' building and told I was under arrest for
trespassing before I was given an opportunity to leave (which I offered
to do) or explain my business there, and being taken against my will
to Bartow and held there while idiots went through my wallet and
made derisive comments ("Hmm - a lottery ticket - I guess it
wasn't your lucky day") and borrowed my lighter to smoke in
front of the "No Smoking" sign. I probably would have settled
for having that last Community Complaint, for operating a
vehicle on property and unauthorized moveout (I didn't own or
operate any vehicle anywhere near Riverbay property that day,
although I'd been a passenger in one; I don't need anybody's
permission to move out, which I had already done three years
earlier when gave up on the place) withdrawn.
Instead Riverbay delayed my attorney around for a couple of
years, before finally making an appropriate cash settlement.
(I gave Mr. Baxter exact names and dates, and suggested
that he look into it to hear the other side of the story.)
I'm still waiting for my apology, and would still accept one
from their successors.
I've been out of New York some 17 years. I'm older, I'm a
property-owner in suburbia, I listen to a scanner, and the
local PDs do a pretty good job of maintaining order without
forgetting who is working for whom or thinking that most
people are like the worst of us they get to deal with during
the worst times, so I'm a little mellower, and I'm certainly
no more of a cop-hater than anybody else who asks "Who will
watch these watchers?" My issue is with Riverbay, and especially
its agents in the department then known as Security.
Mr. Baxter responded (and I assume it's OK to post this response):
I appreciate your response, I enjoy dialogue whether or not I agree
with it or not. I'm certainly not saying that our organization is perfect,
without fault or wrong doing. I'm not up to speed with the facts and
circumstances of your case, both officers you mentioned are retired.
I certainly did not mean to offend,which it appears I have. I am just
tired hearing about all our faults and not of the good work that occurs
All I want from any critic is to be fair, just because you had a bad
experience with one of us doesn't mean we're all bad.
Just this past week an arrest was effected by "security", 2 suspects
for robbery,assault,criminal possession of narcotics and the recovery
of three (3) loaded, operable firearms. Two criminals, drugs and guns
taken off the street, let me see that in your website then I'll be satisfied.
You can check the Co-op City Times for the details.
Well there it is. I responded
> didn't mean to offend
Not at all. I understand that what I published could easily
be offensive, and I wanted you to understand where it comes
from.
I don't doubt that there are good people working for Public
Safety, but I don't have any evidence that the systematic
problems have been dealt with. (There's a secondary problem
as to whether or not Co-op City ought to have had private
Security in the first place -- as the safest 60,000 people
in the 45th Precinct, we may have been getting less than
our fair share of NYPD resources, because NYPD figured
Security would handle things. That's an over-riding
strategic issue, independent of how good a job they're
doing at their job.)
My information is old of course.
As far as I know, Riverbay had plenty of opportunities to clean
house. Gary Marks' killing happened when I was a pre-teen, and I remember
an awful lot of anger. My impression between then and 1990 was that
to prevent this from happening again, Security officers were to
be unarmed; I wasn't happy when I did the research in 1991 and
found that the re-arming had been done, and with a lot less fanfare.
(They ought to be armed, as should most good citizens, but that's
not the point: management promised a certain corrective measure,
and then broke the promise.) Further reseaarch showed that the
department had quite a few problems in the first five years of
Co-op City.
I've got bits of opinion on the site, and elsewhere. There was
a lot good about Co-op City, and some bad. Whenever someone asks,
I've said that I don't think it's a good idea to live in NYC at
all, but if you have to, and you're not rich, Co-op City is probably
the best choice.
Public Safety, both corporately and individuals like yourself, have
an uphill road with me. I'm laying it out as it is: they may do
some good, probably even more good than bad, but they've done me
and my brother more harm than good, and I've asked for only one
thing in return: an official, publishable apology. There'd be
no legal liability: besides the statute of limitations, the
settlement (whose details I can't discuss, but it explicitly
denied wrongdoing) no doubt covers them. I'm continuing to hold
out for that. If this causes someone who's got their ear to
say "There's this jerk saying bad things about all of us, why
don't you just let the baby have his bottle already" that would
be fine with me.
David, you've done a wonderful thing with this website!
Great, info, great pics, great entries.
THAT is what a good website is all about! Keep up the great work.
Thanks. For another interpretation of a Co-op City web site,
see his www.co-opcityweb.com.
Lived in building # 2 since the developement opened.
Had a lot of great friends most of them deceased or probably in jail.
Would love to catch up with some of the gang.
I'm a single father raising 2 daughters in the suburbs of NJ.
Hello, I was an original Building 3 heater in the winter and bencher in the summer.
Useed to hang with Danny Morrissey, Howie Matursky, Andy Present and Mike Marino.
Gary Garcia played for us in the Jello vs. Jocks basketball game. Also had a great
beer drinking contest against the Section 5 fellas. Ritchie Toc, Yaba, Scott and I
think a Pet and Mike Vialla. Some names seem familiar, others do not.
Peace! Drop a line if U wish!
Thanks for creating a great site for me to view.
All I can say is wow. My brothers worked in Bibo's Deli in Section 5.
My oldest brother worked in Bibo's bike shop.
and adds on January 9, 2004:
Nice to feel at home again listening to everyones comments.
If anyone remembers me from section 5 bldg 27A give me a holla.
I experienced Co-op to the fullest and wish I was young again.
Best place in the world to grow up. I lived there for 21 years.
Times are different now in Co-op but the memories will never leave.
Hope to hear from some old friends.
I lived in building 7 from 1969 to about 1974.
Graduated from Truman 1976. Hung all over section 1 and 2.
Mr. Feldman from Truman gave me the picture
of the original Truman Baseball Team of 1974.
If you want an emailed picture just let me
know. Living in Westchester, NY. Married,
oldest child (daughter) is in college and two
boys 7 and 5. Man, do I feel old!!!
Great web site, thanks!
First response since move to Comcast
A correspondent who wishes to remain anonymous
writes on November 28, 2003:
Great website; but could be better with a building sort and alpha listing by name.
I lived in Co-op City from 1970 to 1993 with my family
in building 20. It was such a fun place to grow up.
I graduated from Truman High, class of '88. So many
memories there--working in Co-op Supermarket was so
much fun...hanging out in the Loop in section 1 or
on a bench by the side of the building. Anybody reading
this remember me, drop me a line.
Section 5 paddleball enthusiast
A local paddleball enthusiast <Edat100elg@aol.com>
writes on September 19, 2003:
Come on down! Paddleball is alive and well in Co-Op
City! Seven days a week around 11AM for playing with
a hardball and 5PM to play with a Spalding-like handball
(for fun and strategy). You know where we are- Section
5 by the train tracks. I live in building 35 (moved
into in 1981) and I don't think we'll ever move.
The view is fantastic and the Paddleball Courts are
part of it! See YA????
Great Site! I lived in Co-Op from '73-'91, building
28C. I went to Goose Bay Nursery School, P.S.160,
I.S.181, and Truman (for a little while). I played
little league baseball, handball in the back courts,
hung out by Bibbo's, Cappy's, and every school yard,
shopping center, green-way and sandbox in Co-Op.
I also worked in the section 5 supermarket. I
remember Shore Haven and sneaking into the Bartow
movie theatre. It's great to see many familiar names:
it really brings back all those great memories.
My name is David Gutiérrez a/k/a "Carlos" I lived in
Co-Op City from 1969 to 1977 when I when into the
Air Force. Co-Op was a great place to grow-up, I
went to the Fifth Grade at the Second Floor of the
Dreiser Loop Shopping Center. Went to Michelangelo
and then Truman. Look to hear from old friends.
Another original resident of 15B is now
in Florida, Irving Fruhschien. My Dad went to visit
Florida in Feb. 2003 and he decided to stay
so at the end of May 2003 his apartment 6D will go back
to Riverbay -- an end of an era. We moved into the
building in 1970 and I moved on in 1979.
I have wonderful memories of co-op city. Lived in
building 8 from 1970 to 1992. I had two older brothers,
Richie and Gary. I attended school at the little
yellow school house, the hip center, Young israel
and then to IS 181 when it was built, then Truman.
Some of the names on the site sound familar. Thanks
for a flashback to a great place.
We must have been in the same grades:
I was in 5th grade (5-58, but I think Mr. Madoff,
or Mr. Silverman, was my homeroom teacher, not Mr. Lee)
1972 to 1973, then Ms. Washington's 7th grade 73-74,
and 8-261 (Mr. Madoff, I'm sure) 74-75. (2nd grade was Ms.
Krayton at HIP, 3rd was Ms. Behar in the Little Yellow
School House, 4th was Ms. Okun/Kaufman there. Most
of my classmates at Young Israel were a few years
younger than I was.) I used to hang out with Tommy
Cheung from the 26th floor of your building.
Looking for a sublease of a 2 bedroom!!!! Help Please!!!!!!!!
Subletting is generally not allowed.
A great place to grow up
Someone writes on April 8, 2003:
Hi David, I just wrote some comments on the registration
page. I hope you got them. My name is ________.
I lived in Co-op from 1970-1986 in Section 4. I
hung out at Bldg 20 {definitely one of the coolest
spots in Co-op} with _________.
I remember the paddleball courts, hanging out on
the heater at Bldg 20 to keep warm, hanging
out in the buildings and running from Security when we heard
their radios. I miss those days, Co-op was a great
place to grow up.
Only see a few people I know. Lived in 35 for 17 years.
Then lived in 34 for 3 years. Then back to 35 for
2 1/2 years. Went to 160, 181 and Truman. Still hanging
out in the Bronx, near Co-op but not in, but mom is still there.
HI my name is Josh Torres and I lived at 140 Darrow
Place Apt. 16E from 1980 to 1985. I had may great
friends in CO-OP that I hope will see this and contact
me. We would have such fun at Pine Island! In particular
I am looking for Daniel and Josh Ackerman, Brian
Crespo, Ross Bell, Corey Johnson. I went to PS 83
and St Mary's Star of the Sea. It would be great
to hear from anyoine from the old gang. I now live
in Colorado with my wife and son.
I lived in section 5 building 34 from 1971 to 1978.
My parents moved out in 1986. I have great memories
of growing up in Co-op & seeing this site brought
back some of those great times & thoughts of all
the friends I made while living there. I saw in your
guestbook that Cliffton Cathcart building 14 commented
about living in Co-op. I knew Cliff & tried to e-mail
him but the address is no longer valid.. Hoping he
see's this and e-mail's me to say hello.
Kathy first signed in on September
17, 1998, and she has since contributed the pictures
found on the Section 5 page.
Thanks.
Classmate, now in Delray Beach, FL
Juliet M. Leb a.k.a. Juliet Welsh <Klumnik@MSN.net>
writes on October 2, 2002:
David Chesler, do I know you? Did you go to school
with by sister, Lisa Welsh? Well if you did... She's
living in Israel with her husband and 5 children.
She works full time doing research in quantum physics
(or something like that). I married a mench , I
live in Delray Bch, FL. We have 3 kids; a girl and
twin boys. I work full time as a physical therapist.
Hope all is well. Very cool site.
She added that she was referred
by a friend from co-op, Sheli Shaoul.
Her sister was my brother's classmate, and I put them
in contact with each other.
Can you please send me information on how do I purchase
an Co-op apartment in Co-op City?
I directed him to the Riverbay
Corporation. When he wrote, Co-op City was at full occupancy
and the waiting lists were not accepting new names.
As of November, 2003, that may have changed.
I dont know if anyone remebers me or any members of
my family. My name is Scott Mersky and my brother's
name is Michael. We lived in building 15 from 1969-1976.
I currently live in West Palm Beach, Florida and
have a successful law practice. My brother Mike also
lives in West Palm and has his own law practice as well.
I feel that Co-op city is a disgrace to all Americans.
The fact that we allow our own people to live in
this concrete hell is beyond my comprehension. When I
drove by the project, on I 95, a haunting feeling
came over me. THe whole area looked grey and dilapitated.
God Bless the residents, may they keep whatever spirit
they have left . . . Luther
That mailbox was not found on AOL, on November 26, 2003.
Hi -
I was reading the guest book and saw that Darryl Rojas had
signed and mentioned my name. I tried to email him, but unfortunately it bounced back.
I would LOVE to catch up. I hope to receive an email shortly. I am 31 now and haven't
seen him since I was 15!!! Boy, I miss those days!!!!
This is my first visit to this site. It was great. So many memories...
I first lived in Bldg. 20 from 1971-1986. Married Tony Cruz (what a mistake!)
in '86 and moved to Bldg. 10. In 1988, we moved to New Jersey. We're still here
...though we're divorced now. :-) When I first moved to Co-op, we were sent by bus to
school at P.S. 103. Then on to I.S. 180 and Truman. Graduated Truman in 1978...
Lots of Co-op memories, but my earliest are the mini-markets in the basement of Bldg. 22
and the milk machines in the basement, too. I worked for a while in the Sec. 5 supermarket
..I remember a guy named Phil who worked there, too. Really nice guy but I can't remember
his last name. Hung out for a long time at Bldg. 8 with a hugh crowd. Lauren, Ralph, Richie,
Titone, Ernie and Frank Dragone, and so many more...would love to hear from anyone who can
remember an old relic like me! (by the way..love the pictures on the site. It was a great
help to share these snapshots with friends who are clueless as to what Co-op was like...
unless you grew up there, it's really hard to imagine.)
Thanks again and hope to hear from some of you really soon.
Mini-markets?
New resident wants to know about programs for kids
Very interesting, I just move there 6 month age it's very nice. Love It....
hi my family and i live in building 2. just move in last summer great place, very nice city.
anyone with info on free/low-cost program for kids please email me ...thanks.
I was pleasantly surprised to see this website. I lived in Co-op City (Section 5, building 26B)
with my family from 1972 until 1985, when I got married. My maiden name was Lieberman.
I attended Harry S. Truman and graduated in 1978. I went to SUNY Albany, and grad school later.
I now live in Westchester. My mom and grandmother still live in Co-op City. I too hung out at the paddleball Courts
in Section 2. I spent my summers at Shorehaven beach club where I also played lots of paddleball. Some of my friends
were Michelle Pilchik, Beth Blank, Dale Kravitz, Susan Reichman, Karen Veder, Lyn Karmel, and others. I'd love to hear
from old friends.
This former ne'er do well is now gainfully employed as a business writer in Northern Virgina.
Sister Kathleen and brother Brian as also doing well. A bunch of former friends live nearby
in Maryland.
Building 3
Christine Tamboni <Camaj> <cc201@aol.com>
writes on April 22, 2002:
What a great site! My sister Roseanne, and brother Michael and I lived in Co-op
from 1970-1975, building 3. I attended the Little Yellow schoolhouse (Mr.Abramowitz) as well
as the 'garage' then Pablo Casal's 181 (Mrs.Shapiro/english). I attended Lehman H.S when we
moved to Throggs Neck. Wondered what happen to so many friends from Elementary that went on to
Truman. Mindy Weiner, Paula Goodman, and oh my..John Dunn..whatever happen to you? Stay in
touch!! cc201@aol.com
Hello!
My name is Marcos and I'm trying to get in touch with my Aunt who lives in Co-op city. Her
name is Eusebia Paez, or "Sam" as she is commonly called. If anyone knows her,
please give her this e-mail and have her drop me a line! (nextep1@yahoo.com)
Thanks
I recalled her name from earlier (further down) this page, and
put them in touch with each other.
I was glad to see some familiar names on your registry.
I grew up in Co-op, went to P.S.153, I.S.180, Truman H.S. Graduated in 82.
Mike Crespo, David Rodrieguez, Shoobie, Mito, Yarvis, Gabriel Urias were some
of the characters I knew. Too many names
to mention but thanks for being part of those younger days.
Nice email address! Gary adds on May 28, 2002:
Truman h.s. reunion years 79-82 taking place Saturday ,August 24th,7pm-12
pm at the Embassy Suites, Piscataway, New Jersey. Tickets are $80 which
includes dinner,dessert,open bar. Call Lynn Harrison at 718-671-7202 or
e-mail lynharriso702@aol.com.
You can also contact Gary Velez at
gvelez@riverbaycorp.com.
Address corrected/confirmed June 28, 2004
Chesler, Great Site, LOL. Were U my class? I lived in Co-op Sec 5 from Oh Hell I
cannot remember, through the 70s though. I see many names here of some of the old gang.
I had a blast in 5, every day was an adventure. Would love to hear from some old friends.
I currently reside in CT and manage a limo co.
Darryl Rojas. Co-op City from 1975 to 1996. I hope I can catch up with some old
friends. I'm looking for Lisa Tavares, Laura Martell and Marni Sherman.
I lived in Bldg 25 from Jan. 1971 until 1984 and then moved into my own
apt. w/friends in Bldg 11 until 1987.
How did that work? I've gathered that Riverbay discouraged rentals to other than
traditional, nuclear families. "Co-op City" and "Bachelor Pad" don't
exactly go together in one's mind, for no particular reason, since apartment living
fits into that concept quite well, and properly done any of the 3-bedroom 1.5 bath
apartments would probably work very well for adult roommates and for entertaining.
We are a mature, professional couple, desperately seeking a one, two, or
three bedroom apartment in Co-op City to sub-lease. Maybe someone is moving out of
co-op but their lease is not up for another year or two and they are willing to sub-lease.
Please contact us.
CasalsK has responded to a similar posting in her forum
that sublets violate the lease agreement and subverts the screening
process. I don't see the need for it with 100% occupancy (in fact
according to the
official site the waiting lists are closed as of January 1).
In the past apartments have stayed vacant for 8 years: in such
a market subleasing to close out a lease might be more reasonable.
Building 21A
Bonnie Lasky (Kaplan) <sunshinemom1366@aol.com>
wrote on December 24, 2000, and corrected her address on February 9, 2002:
I lived in Building 21 from 1971-1990. I went to P.S. 153, IS180 and
to Truman High School.
I was just visisting the the site an I started reading all these comments that people wrote I must say
it is very interesting to read all these wonderful things about Co-op City. I reside here at the moment and I love
it. My granddmother is moving here in January I am so happy for her considering there aren't any apartments
available any more. Well that's it for me just thought I should share this with you love the website!
I am a former resident and now live in Georgia. My brother was Stephen Stone
and sister Beth. I went to all 3 schools in Co-op City. I enjoy looking back
and remembering what it was like to live there, see pictures
and read names that I used to know. If you have any info on graduates
from 1985 Harry Truman let me know
Hi! I lived in Co-op City Bldg 10c -- Would love to hear from old friends.
Please email me . I have a new
email address.
And updates her address on June 27, 2002:
just correcting email address, if you knew me please email me would love to hear from you. I lived
in bldg 10c my cousin is marc and ira samuels. my sisters are cristy and syndee, my brother is eddy thanks.
Wonderful site! I am a photographer who is very interested in co-op city.
I have been photographing the area for about 4 years.
I am now working on a group of photos documenting the inside of apartments in co-op
city. Any help or ideas would be greatly appreacited, especily from current
residents. For more info e-mail me or go to
http://thephotobooth.com/co-op_city/index.html
I just found out that Pamela Marcia Root of Building 9 apt 6G, committed sucide on July 12, 2001.
She was the daugher of Herbert and Blanche Root. In her short life
she made a big impact on many. Please list her death notice.
Pamela was 34 at the time of her death she attended 153, 181 and Truman.
She will always be loved and missed. March 1967 - July 2001. Rest in Peace.
My three children and I moved from Co-op and are now in Rhode Island. We love it.
I lived in Building 1 when single and Building 3 when married.
Mom is still in Building 1; lost Dad in June, 2000.
Would love to hear from the old gang.
Looking for any old friends I might find here from Co-op city.....
I lived there from 1969 to about 1977.....
I was in the third grade when we moved up to Monroe, NY "the Country".
I used to live in Building 5B....
I think apt. 14F....
drop me a line if you know me!
Dreiser Loop
Jeanette Yuni Kwartler <JSK501@AOL.COM>
writes on October 26, 2001:
I lived in Co-op City since February 1970.
It was definitely a fun time. Dreiser Loop brings back memories.
Made so many friends.
If you hung out by Dreiser Loop, I'd love to hear from you.
Building 2 paddleballer
Beth Lipshitz Mangino <ginojb@aol.com>
writes on October 23, 2001:
I lived in building 2 from 69-81. Played paddle ball with Steve Friedman,
Paul Hafter and several others behind garage 1.
Hi to all. I went to Truman High School from 1979- 1982.
I was in the Drama Society and performed in Grease with Theatre Is Us
and Guys and Dolls with the School. My two High School boyfriends were
Robert Terrett and Danny Menta. I was in the honors classes and would love
to hear about my successful classmates.
Just a congratulations to SGT. Rachel Hernandez, former resident of the Adler
townhouse. Rachel is a SGT in the U.S army and is currently attending Recruiting
school in South Carolina..Keep up the good work!!!
Lived in bldg #9 first tenants. My children went to school in the
garage and shopping center. Those were great days.
Met wonderful people and still in contact with residents of Co-op City.
I moved in with my parents in 1970. I was just turning 4. We lived in
Bldg. 16A on the 9th floor. My father was Norman Sapirman, head of the
United Democratic Club. We moved out in '78. I am so glad I found this
web page. It is very informative and fun to go through the pictures and
reminisce. Is anyone out there from Mrs. Segal's 2nd grade class?
I am especially looking for Ilene Horowitz. Looking forward to more.
Nice site! I'm a Filipino living in Hong Kong, sort of a sister city
of New York! I also live in a place sort of like a Co-Op city but
with a different name, Tseung Kwan O.
Looking for old friends, mine or my brother Bobby Denning.
Section 1, Bldg. 6. As to when, time is a blur
(see references to substances above).
Tons of memories, good and bad....love to hear from you guys !!!
Hi! I Graduated from Truman H.S. in '85. I "hung out" at the Loop
and behind Bldg 2 with Larissa Golloub, Alison Summer, Michelle,
Yvette, et al. Would love to hear from some old friends.
I lived in building 14 in the 70's and 80's.
My mother just recently moved from co-op to City Island about a year ago.
I was just wondering if any of my friends were still around.
Please post my E-mail address
so if anyone who knows me sees this they can contact me. I am enjoying
looking at Co-op pages and plan to come back again.
Claudia Krasner Dorsch <cekd@aol.com>
writes on August 22, 2001:
I lived in section 5 building 33 (Elgar Place) from 1971 to
1973 (ages 11-13). I attended I.S. 181 (or was it 180?!?) and then moved to
Flushing Queens where I stayed until I got married in 1986 and moved to
central New Jersey. I was one of the first to move into the building and
enjoyed exploring the new construction with my new friends.
Also enjoyed pressing all the buttons in the elevators and
trick or treating every Halloween. Made out like a bandit!
I lived in Co-op from 1969-1999, in building 4B.
My three children were raised there and we can say we had the best times.
When we first moved in from the Grand Concourse we thought we were living in luxury.
Co-op City had many fine qualities and suburban living.
It was where many people of ethnic backgrounds got together in harmony.
The buildings were brand new and we thought it was paradise.
In 1999 we moved to Florida to get away from the cold weather.
If anyone remembers me, I would appreciate an email.
All letters will be answered. Hope to hear from you.
My name is Dara Bookman recently married now Dara Gundersen.
I spent my whole life there I moved in when i was 1 yrs and moved to
Florida when I was almost 20. The time I spent there was priceless,
I went to dance school there and met my best friend Veronica whom I am still
best friends with till this day. I went to school there.
The snow storms were the best. The blackout, and who can forget the fairs on the
greenway. My mother wrote for the news paper the Co-op City Times -- her name is
Marcia Bookman. Co-op City was a great place for me to grow up in and I have
great memomories. The playground, paddleball courts, and the ice cream truck.
Those were the days my friends -- who would have thought we would have to
grow up and be adults.
This was an amazing walk down memory Lane. I think my family moved
to Co op City December 12, 1969, and everyone met after a blizard
shut down I 95. I remember people who got stuck sleeping in the
entryway. Thanks for this journey of my childhood. I think that
blizard is why I moved to California
Thinking that wildlife around this area had all but disappeared,
imagine my surprise to encounter an enormous skunk near the section 1
greenway in Co-op City at about 5:00am on my way to participate in the
MS Bike Tour in September of 2000! For 17 years I lived in North Carolina and
finally saw my first real live skunk in the Big Apple! Fortunately, this one did
not feel threatened by my presence:-) I love this area which is ideal
for a country bumpkin at heart like me!
What happened to CasalsK's Coolboard Forum?
Hope Rogers <h6t9@aol.com>
asked on July 6, 2001 what a lot of us have wondered:
Do you know where CasalsK website has moved to? The one they had
is gone as of the end of June. Let me know thanks.
Lived in Co-op (Building 22) from 1971-1985. My name is Neal Grossman.
Living in Las Vegas now! I played briefly in The Destiny Express Band I say
that maybe to jog some memories out there. I'm interested in finding some old
buds. Some that come to mind are: Barbara Shiller, Susan Rozenberg and, Marlene
Abramowitz. And of course anyone wanting to e-mail me that remembers me please
do...:)
I would like to know about your 2 and 3 bedrooms that come available
2xx E 9xth Street #x
New York, NY 10128
I have visted your open house 2 years ago and at the time I was not making the
income. Now I am in a higher income bracket. What is the waiting list.
I responded: I'll add your comments to the guest book, and you might want to ask
for information on CasalsK's site, but neither of us are Riverbay
Corporation. You should contact them directly. (CasalsK has
their contact information.)
Great page, David! It is incredible that I even recognized some names,
lol. My parents moved to Bldg. 4B, 120 Donizetti Place, in 1969. I can still
remember the tarp hanging in the elevators until the construction was finished.
I went to the Little Yellow School house, bussed out, went to I.S. 181 and if
anyone remembers I was the first school President in '74. Graduated from Truman in
'78 and moved to South Florida. Attended college and worked for IBM for 14 years
in Boca Raton. I now manage a Data Center for a major Office Supply company. This
page brought back some great memories. I have tons of pictures of the school
contruction project (helicopter all summer hanging concrete slabs). Pics of the
garages, the 'ol pizza place and of course can't forget the bakery (hot bagels
on Saturday morning). I also think I have a picture laying around of the gas
explosion in bldg 14? (not sure of the #)and how it rocked us all one early morning.
Thought it was an earthquake. And we can't forget the jumping off the buildings fad.
Also shooting rockets in the back of bldgs 4 and 5. Great times, great friends.
Thanks for the memories, David..:-)
You're welcome! Any pictures I get I'll try to post.
I lived in Co-op City from 7/71-1/76. I lived at 140 Einstein Loop.
I remember unpaved streets and a shuttle van that took you to Pelham Bay 6 train.
I used to way to Pelham Bay by way of I-95 past private homes, there was
a junkyard and a horse riding place with chickens! Co-op City was a
wierd contradiction. Large buildings yet very isolated
esp. Section 5. I remember a pizza parlor, a bakery, and a cheesy Co-op Market.
Anyone remember this stuff?
Great site! Good to see names from the past & comments from "old"
people! Growing up in Co-op was the greatest experience. So many people I know,
did not have the childhood we had! Lots of fun going to the Baychester Deli and
buying "quarts" of "Old-E"!!
Co-op was a great place to grow up. I was 3 when I came from Brooklyn
and was 26 when I moved out. I went to all 3 schools, 178,181 and truman. I also
went to Co-op Day Camp from beginning to end. I opened a business and
unfortunately closed it as well after the mass exodus of businesses leaving in
the late 80's early 90's in Dreiser Lp. But it will never be forgotton. The
Greenway, fairs, block security, heaters, City Cinema, Little League, express
buses, Co-op Times, Fred's Gym, boom tubes in back of Bldg 4 and 5 and I
can be here for hours if I continue.
What business? Some of us might remember it!
Building 27C, second of three generations of Co-operators
Co-op City was a great place to live and raise my two children Heidi
and Howard Himelfelt. My parents Hy & Anne
Roseman lived there too. We were in building 27C and my
parents were in building 30. We now live in Windsor Park in Queens, NY. My
parents have passed away. My daughter is married to Adam Wolpow, a former
resident of Co-op City. We used to go the famous beach club Shorehaven. My son
Howard was on his own but recently moved back with us here in Queens.
Hi, my name is Dina and I lived in Bldg. 13 Casals Place.
My mother lived there up until the time of her death in 1999.
I had moved away a few years before. I have only fond memories of
Co-op, and I was just there 3 weeks ago to visit an old friend in Section 5.
Alot has changed. I didn't get a chance to see the new Peartree Mall.
If I still lived there, I would see it from my terrace. Maybe the next
time I visit my friend, I will stop in to see that mall.
This site is great. I lived in section 5 bldg 28c from 73 to 79.
I played quarterback on the Co-op City Rams football team..
I also played baseball and basketball. I used to hang with my
brother Lenny, Raymond and Ronald Prattis, Bruce Shriley and Kevin
Satterfield. I would love to hear from someone that knows me or
any of my friends. I live in Seattle Washington and work
for the Boeing Aircraft Company. Growing up in Co-op City
was a great experience and I have very many good
memories. Good luck to everyone in the future.
Born in co-op city on Adler Place in 1967 through 1979. Would love
to find old friends. Have very fond memories! Went to PS 153. Have 2 older
brothers, Michael and Al. Would love to hear from any old friends!
My folks were one of the original tenants in section 5 - Bldg 26 --
apt 21C. We moved in in 1973 and then moved to a townhouse in Sect. 5 on the day
of the big NYC blackout in 1977 -- my sister still lives there. I went to PS
160, IS 181, and then on to Spellman HS right across I-95 (would walk home on a
nice day). I miss the way things used to be and the *true* community spirit --
everybody knew everyone else, schools were excellent, etc. Why, oh why did Bay
Plaza ever get in?? Now, traffic is a nightmare, and there's just too many
people! I live in Maine now, but am down from time to time to see my sister.
Since Infancy
Dara Bookman Gundersen <joey282@aol.com><fuzzzykitten@aol.com>
writes on January 5, 2000:
My name is dara bookman and i moved into co-op city when
i was one years old and lived there till i was 20 and then moved to florida.
I wen t i.s. 180 and am looking for old friends. If veronica vitarius sees
this contact me like right away . I miss you
and adds on March 15, 2000:
Hi my name is Dara Bookman and I lived in bldg 30b and bldg 19 for
almost 20 years. I went to I.S. 180 and Truman any of my old school mates that
see this please e-mail me so we can relive old times.
and adds on February 23, 2001:
Hi co-op city people. Looking for old dance school people of aranka
kapin's dance troop
I lived in 16B Asch Loop from infancy to the age of 19.
I am always looking for all my old friends, send me an e-mail!! I am trying
desperately to find two very dear finds, Kalpana and Shobana if your out there
or someone reading this knows where you are, drop me a line.
I grew up in Co-op City, where I attended all of the public schools
up untill Truman High School. My mother, Aranka Kapin, ran the Co-op City Dance
School. She used to donated all of her profits to the Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
If anyone is out there who remembers us, it would be great to get an e-mail from
you.
She expanded her thoughts:
I grew up in Co-op. We moved there as soon as the building was
ready, which was when I was a few months old. We lived in building 16 in 9F.My
sister stayed there and lived there untill the 90's howeverI lived there untill
1988 when I moved to Texas. Many people might remember me for my love of dance,
my mother was Aranka Kapin. She ran the Co-op City dance school which was
non-profit. Even though many other dance teachers told her that she should
raise her prices, she felt that everyone should be able to afford to dance. She
also donated money to the ambulance corp every year. Which is one of my pet
peeves because they never showed up, when she was dying.
Anyway, I loved the
social scene. I had 3 older sisters that also went through the school system.
They were good old days when you
could go outside and find a friend to play with. My friends and I would try to
see who could climb to the highest part of the tree!
I believe I reached the third floor, but definitely the second.
I also enjoyed the fact that
even though it was raining you could always play in the hallways, or under the
building. We used to scale the walls with our legs too, between the pillars. We
played rollerskating tag, sandbox tag (where you could only take 1 step in the
sand) We had a great time. I also remeber when the animals would come and I
liked the camel rides.
I loved all the schools there. I especially loved dance
at Truman with Ms. Meyers and band with Mr. Altieri and who could forget Mr.
Lesser with Criminal law and Social Studies. If anyone one wants to
e-mail, it
would be great to catch up on old times. If anyone remembers my mom and wants
to say hello to me that would be great too.
By the way if anyone hears from
Barbara Saltzman or if Barbara is reading this please e-mail me.
I know you got married and I was at your wedding however I can't fully remember
the spelling of your new last name.
If you are reading this I did send you two letters when you were with your
husband in Germany, but when I received yours saying that you were mad that I
never wrote you, it hurt me so I did not return the last letter, even though you
said you would never write me again.
Hello. I lived in co-op city from 1970-1987 except for
college(1979-84). I lived in bldg 10 and used to hang out by bldg 10 and the
paddle ball courts. Would love to hear from old friends. I live in LI now and
can be rached by email at spiac@optonline.net
Still living in Building 15 since 1978. Went to PS 153 and IS 180.
So did my brother and sisters.. Christine Schiavoni, Denise schiavoni and Jimmy
Schiavoni. Any old friends of any contact us citykid77@aol.com
I am a documentary filmmaker who is producing a video about the history
of Co-op City. Currently, I am looking for residents, both old and new,
who have an interest in talking about Co-op City and what it is like to
live there. I am also looking for photos or video footage of Co-op
City, past to present.
If you would be interested in participating in this project, please
contact me at mclarkin@optonline.net.
Hi, my name is Barry and I lived in bldg 10 100-7 Debs Place
apt 7d with my ex-wife Adrienne and 2 young sons David and Paul, I lived there
from 1970 to 1972 then bought a house.
I am in my mid 50s and live in Florida now, early retirement, guess I was lucky.
Any one remember us??? I doubt it, since we only lived there 2 years and my kids
were only 2 and 7, say hello, bjandjg@aol.com
I loved my short time in Co-op, did not want to move but you know how Jewish
wives are , lol.
I would love more pictures and floor plans , specially the triple core bldg, how
ever I cannot see the pics on the second more pics site, dont know why, I have a
very powerful laptop with everything on it. thanks, barry
Thanks for pointing that out. I had those extra pictures stashed on IceStorm,
a different free web-hoster than Yahoo!Geocities. (I'm running out of free
space here.) And apparently they stopped allowing directories with underscores
in the name (like bros_pix) and just deleted everything. I hope to move some
of the picture pages to NBCi (I apologize for the banners!) when I can.
Relocated from building 28 to building 30. Looking for old friends that I
grew up with and went to School with PS 160, IS/MS180, and Harry S. Truman
H.S. Also looking for old friends from building 28 and SEC 5.
Building 21A
Bonnie Lasky (Kaplan) <sunshinemom1366@aol.com>
wrote on December 24, 2000, and corrected her address on February 9, 2002:
I lived in Building 21 from 1971-1990. I went to P.S. 153, IS180 and
to Truman High School.
Building 10C
The former Hope Zwyer <h6t9@aol.com>
writes on December 5, 2000:
Hi! My former name is Hope Zwyer. I lived in building 10C. I am
looking for old friends and family. My cousin's name is Ira samuels. He married
Terry London's sister. If you remember me please write back. I went to Evander
Childs High. I also went out with Albert Alguadish. Not sure if the last name is
spelled right.
Nice site. I lived in building 19 for 17 years. Did the whole roll
out of bed right to school thing. It's really good to see many past residents
not able to forget their time in Co-op. It was really something I would never
give back. My stepdad, Harvey Steinberg and his whole family rode for Riverbay.
I live in Europe now but I am moving to Buenos Aires very soon. I promise to
keep in touch.
I lived in Bldg 10 Debs Place from June 1970 to 1980. (my parents still
live there). I attended IS181 when it first opened and graduated Truman HS in
1979. I am currently living in Tampa, Fl. and would love to hear from anyone who
remembers me or went to school with me.
Hey! We must have been classmates at I.S. 181! (And probably The
Little Yellow Schoolhouse before then, though you would have been
a year ahead of me then.)
I am looking for soemone to please help me. I live in Milwaukee, WI 36
and am looking to move to the Bronx; AS strange as it may seem this is something that
is like a life long dream to me; about two years ago, I was diagnosed with myeloma
which is a form of leukemia, well through all the hardships that I had in that time,
radiation; I looked back on my life, and I knew since after visiting friends there,
I wanted to live in the bronx, Pelham Bay, well after this June, another setback,
I lost my job because of company relocation. The good news was that I was in remisison,
I took a little time off and gave it serious thought and decided I really wanted to
fulfill a dream and go to the Bronx and live, maybe it was naive but this past weekend,
9-30, my father and I left, I have one freind in the Bronx, in Bedford Park but she
doesn't have any room at the moment; well everywhere we looked it was the same story,
"need ny id, copy of con ed bill" I mean I had the cash upfront, I have ten years
working in medical terminolgy, there are alot of opportunities in New York that I
don't have here. Like I said maybe we were naive; but looking back all the bad days
I had when I was sick, I had to have something, and though I was leaving my little
nephews and family and everyone, it was something I wanted, needed to do. so here
I am back in Milwaukee, sort of heartbroken, people may say what is so good about
the Bronx, I think it's because it reminds me of my childhood here before Milwaukee
was turned into one strip mall after another; piling up alot of bills, I was not
able to keep up my car payments, and our public transportation leaves alot to be
desired, when I visited at Christmas 99, it was like such a breath of fresh air,
I know this is not the right forum for this, but could anyone help me, just somehow
get my foot in the door, I have everything taken care of, here or there, I have
medical expenses, and employment should not be a problem since I have already looked
and searched there for it, it's jsut the problem of finding a place,anything you could
direct me to, or anyone I would appreciate it so very much.
I passed this request on to BronxRoots. I know more about
moving away from the Bronx than moving to the Bronx.
I have never been to the Bronx, but my family is from there and I am
looking forward to a visit. I am looking for my Cousin, who worked
somewhere in Co-op city, his name is Jimmy Cavanaugh. I think he was
in maintenance. If anyone knows him or where I can find him,
please e mail me.
His Family would like to "catch up".
Can someone tell me why with all the traffic congestion on the New England
Thruway betweeen Pelham Bay Station and Co-op City, why they don't simply
expand the service roads on the sides of the Thruway between Co-op City and
Pelham Bay Station, (Southbound) and Co-op City and Country Club (Northbound),
to ease the traffic congestion???
Good question!
Maybe they'd know better
on the
forum.
I used to live in bldg 13, 100 Casals Place. I have two brothers Matthew,
Brian and a sister Kim. We moved in Nov.'70. I was great living there.
I attended 181( I think ) when it was located in the shopping center then
was bussed to P.S. 67 (I think ) then went on to I.S. 181. I was in the first
graduating class there. Made some trouble and alot of friends. If anybody knows
Nicole Drew and Kenny Gonzales from bldg. 10 please let them or me know. I think
your page is on the money. I saw an old schoolmates name and the picture of the
helicopter laying the roof on the garage brought back fond memories. Keep up the
good work.
Co-op City was a good place to grow up, offering a wide range of urban NYC
experiences. I am glad that I had this opportunity and often share stories of
my youth with my own children now. Thanks for this refreshing web site.
WOW! It's great to see the familiar names. My family moved into building 35 in 1975.
I went to I.S. 181 and graduated from Truman in '81. After that, I joined
the Navy for the next four years. When i was discharged, I moved in with
my folks for the next 3 years and moved out on my own. But I have lots of
great memories from the time I lived there. I used to hang around with
Seth Roth, Charlie Simon, Dave Rodriguez, Todd Goodwin and Jeffrey Meltzer
to name a few (although, not at the same time). Man, we'd ride our bikes all
over Co-op, Secor, Gun Hill and Allerton. It was a great time. Does anybody remember
Robyn James or Tracy Guy? Two girls that dumped me....funny i was alway the dumpee
and hardly ever the dumper.
Now I'm married (no more dumping) with children and have my own home in Northern
NJ.
Does anybody have any info on a possible Truman Class Reunion for the class of '
81?
Again, this is a great page...keep up the good work!
I lived in Debs Place until about 1974. I left Truman High School
after my first year there and moved to Fairfield Connecticut.
I am now living in South Florida and loving every minute of it
and would like to touch base with former friends and neighbors there.
Building 2A
Mindi Berenguer (maiden name Shapiro) <Jmp31cat@aol.com>
writes on September 7, 2000:
I think this site is great!!! I lived in bldg 2A from 1969
(original tenant) till 1994. I remember "hanging out" on
the greenway, by the pizza shop in Dreiser Loop and between
bldgs 5 & 2. I met my husband in Co-op & had my son in
Jacobi Hospital. We were just up there this summer, & it
looks great. If anyone remembers me e-mail me, would love
to hear from old friends.
My in-laws Zack and Esther Jones moved to co-op in 1970.
They lived at 100 De Kruif Place. Jack died in 1982 and
Esther continued to live there until May of this year when
at the age of 95 she moved to Sacramento, CA to be near
her only son. We are happy to have her here in California,
but she misses Co-Op city very much and often speaks of
the wonderful times she had there and the many friends she
made over the 30 year period.
Lived in Co-op City from 1970-1984 and 1987-1992.
Graduated Truman High School in 1976.
Played for the Co-op Rams '74/'75.
Also played many games of paddleball next to garage #1.
Had many great times growing up there. I am presently
married about 11 years and have 2 children, 1 boy and 1 girl.
Moved to Harriman, NY about 9 years ago. Now it's wild as I
watch my son now plays Pop Warner football, the time goes by so fast.
Boy I remember being 18 and hanging out by building 10.
Would love to hear from my friends I grew up with.
My folks and brother Mark still live in Co-op. Later for now.
I lived in Building 4b, along with my sisters Evelyn and Lasca.
I went to the little yellow school house, PS 178 and then IS 181,
we moved before 7th grade (summer '76)to Louisville, KY.
Years of graduation for High school for my and my sisters are 82, 81 & 78.
Anyone remember us? We were members of the Community Protestant Church.
My grandfather, Sam Kaplan, was a construction painter,
one of the many who built CO-OP. He and my grandmother,
Mollie Kaplan, moved into an apartment on the 13th floor
of Bellamy loop 21C. Used to spend summers with them
until 78. Sam passed away in 73, Mollie in 82. Haven't
been back since, but things had gone dramatically downhill
by the time Mollie passed- repeated muggings, etc..
Anyway, nice site. Brought back some memories.
I understand things may be even worse now -- they
certainly got worse between when I left in 86 and when
my parents finally moved out in 91.
It does say something about construction defects that
people who worked on the building were willing to move
in -- although I bet the Kaplan's apartment was better
painted than the general-issue whitewash the apartment's
came with.
I'm really glad to find a Co-op City web-site. I lived in building
5B from the time it opened until 1979. I went to Columbus H.S. and then Queens
College. Played alot of paddleball at the courts next to garage 1. I'm now
living in New Jersey with my husband and two children.
This is a great place. My friend Michael Rockow told me about a website,
and I found this one. I am a long time resident of Co-op City. We were
original tenants of building 35 since 1971, but moved to building 21
in 1984. I graduated from Truman in 1977. I would be interested in
hearing from people who attended Truman from 1973-1977, and also from
people from building 35.
My name is Yarvis Torres. I lived in Co-op from 1974-1981.
I graduated from Ps153 in 1975. IS180 in 1979. Truman in 1984.
(1 year late, not my fault) Looking for anyone who might remember me.
I lived at 120-3 Alcott Place. I don't remember the building #.
I played little league on that huge greenway. I used to play
rock wars on the big pile of dirt that is now the Truman track
field.I named two of my children after people that I met in Co-op City.
Anne-Lise Puoti, and Danielle Leach. I had a sister and brother,
Sylvia and Allen. I hung out with Shooby, Monty, Joey and others.
Unfortunately my memory of friends names escapes me at the moment.
I used to play paddle ball as well right there in section 3.
John Soldi is another name that just popped up. My first puppy
love girl was Robin Roman, who I understand is a very sucessful
attorney. She graduated from BX Science. Betty Ramirez was my
first serious girl who broke my heart. She lived in the same
building, on the 10th floor. I also! remember 2 sisters Elaine
and Brenda Mestre who lived nearby. What I do remember about
Co-op was that it was a great place to grow up in. I never
thought that I would grow up and not remember the names of
people who now I know meant so much in my life. I'm happily
married with 3 kids living on Staten Island. If anyone
remembers me PLEASE give me a ring on the old computer. Thanks!!!!!!!!!
Our apartment in Building 7 faced that building. I used to walk under it on
the way to the Bartow shopping center. There used to be somebody on a low
floor on the north-facing wing that played a drum set a lot.
This is great!. Now I can send the site to my mom in Florida since
she moved there before we moved here and I'm spending a small fortune
on pictures and videos to send to her!
My family and I moved here May 6,1993. I've always lived in a one family
private house so moving here was quite a shock! So many people, cars and best
of all children. It took awhile to get use to elevators and intercoms, laundry
rooms and not shoveling snow! I soon learned that this community was rich in
history and many stories of residents gone famous. The diverse ethnic
backgrounds is wonderful to be in the middle of. My children have learned so
much from so many kind neighbors. My youngest Andrew has been going to P.S. 153
where he has been exposed to so many different cultures that one month he decided
that he was Mexican. Another month he was Jewish and still another he is A
frican American culminating at this time with being Puerto Rican! We encourage
his "exploring" and respecting of all races while still remembering
his roots. This couldn't be done in the communities that I grew up in. Lake
Ronkonkoma, Suffolk County when the Long Island Expressway only went to Exit 58!
I could go one for ever about the good things here. Not there have been
some rough spots but there always are anywhere!
I just end by saying thanks for the site and lets just keep going forward
for the benefit of all.
Moved into Building 11A (Carver Loop) on 4/1/70.
Moved out 6/83.
A lifetime of memories packed into 13 years!
Hung out at Bldg 2, Bldg 4, Shopping Center 1 and DeKruif Place.
Vivid memories of paddleball, the 15C/17 bus to Science,
and lots and lots of friends.
I lived in Section 5 of Co-op City from 1971 to 1974.
From the 27th floor I thought I was at the top of the world.
My memories were pleasant.
I may want to live there again.
Married with twin 12 year old boys. Live in Bensalem, PA
(Near Philly and the damn Flyers) Former Ranger Fan Clubber.
Parents still live in Bldg 14. Got to get them out (if they only
knew how to drive). Went to Taft HS..Class of '69, Bronx Community
College and Lehman College. Former vender at Yankee and Shea Stadiums.
Now selling beepers for a national paging company.
Address corrected above per his request of April 17, 2001
Hi! I lived in Co-op (bldg 5) from 1969-1986. I went to the
"little" yellow school house, PS 156 (or was it 153?),
IS 181 and Truman. I have some great memories of Co-op. It was
a fun place for kids. The paddleball courts by garage 1 still holds
a special place in my heart :) I am married with a wonderful husband
and daughter. It was fun looking through this sight and recognizing so many names.
Wondered if her home had a web site
An anonymous contributor
writes on April 25, 2000:
I think it's great that Co-op finally has a website.
I've lived in Co-op for all 21 years of my life, so
if you need someone to contribute to the website,
let me know via e-mail.
My folks and I were one of the original residents to move into building 15 in April,
1970 - I was 3 going on 4 years old at the time. I went to school throughout the
Education Park schools (i.e. P.S. 153 [class of 76'], I.S. 180 [class of 80'] &
Harry S. Truman H.S. [class of 84']). Although I have mixed feeling on Co-Op City,
I do admit that I had a lot of fun there too and hung out with an interesting crowd
on the greenway, etc., and therefore was glad to see a few WWW pages on Co-Op City.
The old photos really brought back some childhood memories.
We were involved with everything from the local Cub Scout & Boy Scout Troop (551),
the CB group when that was in fashion, the Riverbay Volunteer Ambulance Corp.
(of which my dad was an original member), etc.
I'd enjoy hearing from old friends who have moved out of the area that I haven't seen
or heard from in a long time. I still live in the area (just
across the Throggs Neck Bridge in Flushing in a community similar to Co-Cop called
Electchester). As a matter of fact, a number of former Co-Op residents that I went
to school with live in Electchester now - one of them one floor below mine . . .
Talk about "everything that is old is new again" :-)
Riverbay Corporation needs to understand that people expect URLs
I was searching for information on the Riverbay complex since they are
advertising in the newspaper. Do you know anything about them and
the development.
Putatively Co-op City is a cooperative; Riverbay Corporation is owned by the
tenant/shareholders. It was formed under the New York State Mitchell-Lama bill,
resulting in income limits (floor and ceiling), severe limitations on the selling of
apartments/shares, and a lot of state oversight. Just as Russia wasn't able to get
past the Revolution phase of Communism in 75 years, Riverbay never got past the
start-up phase, and the state has retained and regained an awful lot of oversight.
Unlike a typical cooperative apartment building, which is largely democratic in
organization, due to its size (15,000 units) Riverbay is largely run by the elected
representative Board of Directors, and day-to-day management is by a professional team.
(Since I left it's been outsourced.)
Keep up all the good work. It feels good to visit your roots from time
to time. I was one of the original owners. ( at least my parents) I was only
6 mos old. We lived in building 30a. I was the class of 87 from Truman High School.
I played paddleball in section 5. I still go there from time to time to play.
I am now in law enforcement and live in Yonkers. My family still lives there.
I wish all the best of health.
Hi, All.. Don't know if anyone remembers me,
but they used to call me Funkyman,
I lived in Building Five and went to Evander.
Graduated in 1973. I live in Yorktown Heights NY
have 3 nice children and a beautiful wife. If any
of the old gang reads this send me an email...Later
Hi. This is great site. I lived in building 3 from 1970 till 1987
with my mom and sister Amy. I graduated from Truman in 1981 and I
am trying to find other members of the former Rangerette Racoon Club.
I am married with two children, 5 and 2 1/2 living on Long Island.
I would love to hear from past friends.
The Smith family lived in bldg 14 (Casals Place) on the 28th floor
from 1970 - late 80's. Mike now lives in St Louis w/his 2 teenage boys.
Steve now lives in Winston-Salem w/his 3 kids and many pets. Karen, still the
New Yorker,lives on the Upper West Side.
Would love to hear from old friends
at karenbsmith@mindspring.com
Building 35
Darlene Love-Gafni <darl13@aol.com>
writes on February 12, 2000:
I lived in Co-Op from 1971-1978.section 5 building 35
I have two older brothers Lee and Mitchel Love.We all went to I.S 181.My
brothers went to Truman.We moved to yonkers.
Anyone that remembers us can E-Mail me.I
had great times in Co-Op ,but glad to
get out.now I live in Mahopac N.Y.
We used to go up to Lake Mahopac, about a 45 minute drive from
Co-op City, very often. (My father kept a small sailboat there.) Your
email bounced; please contact me to let me know what things are like
up there these days.
I'm an original...although I was a kid then. Bussed to several schools,
then Yellow Schoolhouse, Shopping Center 1, 1st graduating class of IS181.
Remember Mr. Petrella and Mr. Perrutti (I think those were their names).
Then to Science, then life. I remember most of the things others remember.
One of my early memories was watching them pave Dreiser Loop because Mayor
Lindsay was coming to visit!
Lived in Bldg 11 Carver loop 1970-1979 went PS178 and IS181
Family moved to Richmond, VA when I was in 8th grade at 181 in 79.
Used to go to Cappy's and hang out at Joe's Hot Dog Stand
Remember the "Greenway" and little league, My dad played softball for the
Spanish American Team 72-79.
Would love to hear from any old friends!!! Still live in VA.
And sends an email correction on August 29, 2006, adding:
Came across my original 2000 posting on your Co-op website during a google
search. I can't believe it has been over six years since my original post. I
was wondering if you could update my email address. The original posting was
1/2000 Bldg 11.
My current email address is winckler@comcast.net. Over the years I have been
able to reconnect with a few of my old friends. It is amazing to me the
number of people that have lived there. I recently changed jobs here in
Richmond, VA and was talking with some co-workers about my childhood in NY.
I was amazed to find out one of them had just been to Co-op visiting a
friend that lives there currently, small world. Thanks again for the update
and keeping the Co-op connections alive.
Regards-
Michael Winckler
Bldg 11 1970-1979
HS Class of 1983
I grew in Eastchester projects (burke avenue area) and went to PS 121
on Allerton, Michaelangelo 144, Evander, then CCNY. I remember Co-op
when it was swamp and Freedom Land. My father got free tickets to
Freedom Land through his union. Little did I know I would live there
in section 5 and my mother and grandmother (age 100) still live there.
Now I live in Nyack, but my heart(and at times my mind) were always
in the Bronx. I remember PS 121 as having the only park where on a
nice day people were playing basketball, softball, paddleball, full-court,
half court, touch football or just hanging on the benches. And the
pizza and other foods could not be bet. You just can't find that
atmosphere outside NYC.
I lived in Bldg 1B from 1969-1988. Went to Little Yellow Schoolhouse,
PS178, IS181 and Truman. Some of my best memories involve the paddleball courts.
I live in NJ, married with 2 kids. Still see a few people from Co-op.
Great site...glad to c that people enjoyed growing up in Co-op....
I grew up in section 5...I resided there from 1971 to 1983....
Reading some of the comments on this web page brought back
some great memories.
I grew up in Co-op City and went to school there, grades 2-12.
Nowadays I'm Librarian in Rockland County. One of the library's
patrons asked me if I knew anything about the history of that secion of the Bronx.
Of course, all Co-op Cityites know about Freedomland, but this guy showed
me a map from 1947 that shows that area next to the Hutchinson River Pkwy
as Curtiss Airport. He is going to send a post to BronxRoots.
The post never showed up on BronxRoots, as far as I know,
but I asked Ben for it, and he sent me the image to the right.
I wonder if the airport there was projected, and not actually built?
A correspondent whose father lived on City Island at the time confirms that
this is the case. See the location page for
more old maps of the area that would later become Co-op City. As of June, 2000, I
have some old maps, but they aren't scanned yet.
I found no record of it on the web, but I learned that LaGuardia Airport
was originally called Curtiss Airport, and there was a Curtiss Airport
or Field on Long Island in the early days of aviation.
I'd love to see more of that map. It apparently shows the Hutchinson
River Parkway, but not the New England Thruway, and it shows streets
in and around Co-op City which no longer exist, especially in the
area of Peartree Plaza/Givans Creek Woods.
Building 24
Joseph S. Lania <Lania5>
writes on December 24, 1999:
Co-op resident '71-'77 section 4 bldg 24 (but visited all over,
every section at one time or another) age was 13-17
many teen memories (great) former jd but now doing real well
Hi. My family and I used to live in Building 3B, apartment 9F.
I used to go to the Community Center school, then to Michelangelo,
then Harry Truman, H.S.. I was the Fiddler in Fiddler on the Roof
my 3rd year of High School, along with Robin Weinberg. Any old
building 3nicks out there, let me know, I'd love to hear from you.
Anyone heard from Robin Weinberg or Leslie Small? How about Cheryl
Schwam, Karen (giggles). Anyway, great finding this website!!
Thanks!! I lived in building 35 from 1972 till 1985.
I attended 160, 181 and Bronx Science. Now, I live in
Salem, OR. With work and young kids, I don't get home
much anymore and I sure miss the old neighborhood.
Diversity
Miriam Mia Rodriguez-Campbell <Miapais@aol.com>
writes on November 17, 1999:
To the "long
timer" who had a less than positive attitude about the Russians,
Indians and observers of Kwanzaa; These newcomers are what keep the community "Diverse".
But it seem that this word is not a part of your vocabulary. In case you haven't realized,
this is America and all are welcomed. It seems as if you think Co-op City was built for
only the Jews. Well, newsflash... it was built for everyone and if you no longer like it,
MOVE!!! Keep in mind that Co-op City is a better place to live for many of it's residents
who previously lived under worse conditions. Those with negative attitudes only
contribute to the rumors of this being a community going down the drain.
The original message to which this responds is
found below.
I grew up in co-op city, moving in around 1970.
I went to school there and day camp there as well and loved it.
I eventually met my wife there, Julie Perry and we are now married
with two children. I am a published author with 15 books to my credit.
Look me up on Amazon.com and
order a few, will ya! Looking forward to
hearing from other people who knew me or my wife.
I lived in Building 20 with my sister, Roxanne and brother Frankie.
I am looking for some old friends. I am married now with two kids living
upstate with John Torres formerly of Building 10. Would love to hear from you..
I miss the days of hanging out on Einstein Loop with all the guys from
section five and hanging out with everyone from Truman HS by Dreiser loop
where we would frisbee football and touch football games on weekends.
Thanks to your great map I found out where my dear friends are located.
I think this whole website is very interesting and informative.
Maps and pictures are g r e a t !
Can anyone tell me why someone would invest $13,000 into a 3-bedroom
in Co-Op and decide to move? Is is not worth the investment. Looking
for insider information.
I don't know why someone would invest the equity either. In 1967,
$4,000 was a good deal for my parents, compared to buying a home
in Dix Hills, and they didn't think to live in the suburbs.
I put $15k down and bought a 6-room house on 1/3 acre 10 miles
north of Boston 4 years ago -- and I think it's appreciated $40k
since then.
If I were going to try to raise a family in New York City, and
especially if I wanted to send my kids to Bronx
Science, Co-op City is a pretty good way to do it.
I really enjoyed this web page.
I lived in Co-op City from 1970 till 1991.
My husband is Joseph Miller, very active in the community.
My children are Brian, Andrea and Jennifer Miller.
Brian lives in Piscataway, New Jersey. Jennifer lives in
Forest Hills, Queens. She just had a baby boy.
Andrea Miller is currently living in Manhattan.
There is no place quite like Co-op City was when we lived there.
Times change. I sometimes miss those days.
Co-op City is a place I will never forget.
It was the greatest place to grow up.
So many friends and fun times. I will always remember everything about it,
It's too bad it all changed so quick. everyone just moved away.
Truman High was My school and I am proud to be in the class of 77.
I resided in building 8 from 1969-1988.
My grandparents lived in the same building and on the same floor.
My feelings are very mixed about Co-op City. I have fond memories
hanging out with friends, you were never lonely in front of my building,
someone was always out. I just never liked the whole high rise concept,
Co-op City was just too big and you never really new who lived in your
building or not. I also hated the elevators, it was like living in a
prison cell block, not to mention there not being any shopping in the
community at that time. Even though I have no regrets about moving out,
I always feel a little nostalgic driving by because it was home to me at
one point in my life.
Hi!!!! Can't believe this site exsists.
Love to hear from everyone from I.S. 181 class of '76
(and whoever else remembers me). I moved to Queens
during my sophmore year at Truman. I live in Switzerland
now with my husband and two girls. I still have brown curly hair
(not exactly a "fro" anymore)I went out with Chris Labriola during
8th grade and was best friends with Joi Noel since, "The Little
Yellow School house." Guess who.... Thanks David Chesler!!!
Thank you soooo much for this site! I've been surfing and surfing and finally,
thanks to "ask jeeeves" I've found your site.
I'm considering purchasing a co-op and I saw the co-op city ad in the
newspaper today. I couldn't remember if there was a web-site. I wasn't
even sure if I had the correct name of the complex/community.
Bottom line, you've filled in alot of blank spots for me.
Who knows, I might be a neighbor in the near future.
Moved into Co-Op City 2/70-Bldg 6 till 7/72.
Transferred to Florida for one year. Then moved back to Co-Op -Bldg 4B
in 7/73-9/79. Children Robert and Sharon Fishbein now in their 30's.
Believe I met your mother one year at the Concord. Have fond memories of Co-op city.
i was just looking for info on my former home.
i moved out of co-op city one month ago to dallas texas.
man i sure do miss co-op and new york in general.
i am planning on going back home to live again in a couple of months.
there is nothing like co-op city or the bronx,ny.
thanks for having a page like this.
I lived in building 14 on the 19th floor, we moved in around 1970 or so,
before I started school. Friends I can remember at this time,
David and Patrick Sullivan (twins), Gregory Katz, Kim Karabin,
John Tilloca, Deborah, Kenney, and Gloria Flores, Stewart Little,
Renee Bender, Lisa Latronica, Stephen Calender, and his cousin Lisa,
I also remeber alot of other kids but cant recall their names.
If you know any of these people, chances are we know each other also.
Most of these people are around their mid thirties. I went to P.S. 178 until
I moved to Florida in 1978. Hope to hear from some old friends.
And adds on August 3
This is real neat. Building 14 was on Casals place with 12 and 13 near the
bus depot and Conner street off the thruway. I have two older brothers,
Mike Schreck who was born in 61 I think, and Rob Schreck born in 58 or 59
we all lived and had friends in the area. What building did you live in and
is there an area on your site to register and find friends as they log in?
OK, I was thinking of a different building. On Casals Place
I knew Robert Wasserman (IS 181 '75; Science '79).
My site isn't interactive. I'll put your comments on the guest
page when I get around to it (new job, and I've got some other
things sucking all my time.) I see you've signed on at CasalsK's
Bravenet forum, that's more interactive.
I was in Building 7, from the opening in 1970; I had a bed there
until my parents moved in 1991.
And Chris adds on September 27, 1999
Some of the people I remember and would love to hear from:
Kim Karabin, Lisa Latronica,Mark Glickman, David and Patrick Sullivan,
Greg Katz, Stewart Little, Renee Bender, Frank Manzi and many more
whom I cant remember full names.
I am a former 'charter' resident of co-op city.... We moved in on 12 Nov 1970.
I have some old photos you might be interested in. I know I have
some aerial photos which show the 'roof' behind lowered into place by
helicopter on the garage roof on Carver Loop.
I can scan some in and email them to you if you like.
I enjoyed looking through the site, but I couldn't find information
on requirements for entering into CO-OP CITY. Is it possible for me
to get that information?
I loved the pictures. Living in Las Vegas now, I was trying to describe
the place I grew up in to people out here. Some of my friend come from
Montana and Idaho and couldn't imagine how large Co-op is.
Thanks for this site, it is terrific.
I lived in Co-op from 1971-1982 when I moved to Maui where I still reside.
I do not own a computer yet but have use of a friends webtv for a few weeks.
Used to live in building 23, went to Truman, worked in all the supermarkets.
Would love to hear from any old co-op ites.
Anonymous memories
A correspondent who wishes to remain anonymous writes on June 12, 1999:
Hi David. I visited your site about 3 weeks ago and wrote of some great
Co-op City memories, but when I looked for my comments today, I couldn't find them.
Maybe I was suppossed to tell you that it was OK to post them? Whatever. I'll try to
remember what I wrote the forst time. My longterm boyfriend lived in one of the
townhouses in section 5 for maybe about 10 years in the 70's. That townhome was
gorgeous! I was so jealous, being from Parkchester, that he had 2 floors, a patio,
one and a HALF bathrooms and air conditioning. I remember many a weekend going to
the movie theatre there and getting fried rice from the Chinese restaurant next door
to smuggle into the theatre. I also remember what a pain transportation from
the #6 train was. The Co-op City bus would never come, so we always wound up
walking along the Thruway. I remember these strange, ramshackle houses between
the Thruway and Section 5. But, great memories, all in all.
I lived at 120-16 Dekruif Place from 1971 until 1979.
I moved to Long Island, then Brooklyn, back to the Bronx and
now upstate NY. Check
out www.pinebushkarate.com
I lived in Co-op from 1972-1983, and now live in San Diego California.
I am looking for some of my building 23 hang-out buddies.
Howie, Richie, Jeff,Corey,Mike (green and Romano) Eric, David Thalblum,
Mark Rubin,and if I missed anyone I apologize. Drop an e-mail line. Bonnie
I live in the 120 Donizetti Building (4B).
If you want to correspond with me call 671-XXXX
My name is Marlo. I was just visiting this site to learn
about my surroundings. Co-op City is a very respectable place.
For prospective buyers, it is highly recommended that you
look into purchasing a Co-op here...
I'm actually interested in the Gloria Wise Boys and Girls Club.
I've recently heard that this is new addition to Co-op City.
I have a four year old son, and I heard that this foundation
is being partially funded by the Board of Education.
I am looking for daycare services,
but have found that the prices to the daycare centers are too high.
Please send me any information you can on this subject.
Gloria Wise Boys & Girls Club's Goose Bay Nursery isn't all that
new. I think they've been around for a while. They also have a camp
for older children...although not this summer. But that's
another story.
The following is a summary of an ad that was in one of the
local papers:
Goose Bay Nursery Summer Program for Pre-school children
(Building 30A and 32A in Section 5)
July 1 - August 27
Available 7am - 7pm daily
$475 per month
$100 reg./insur. fee
For more information call
Lorraine Corva 320-0991
Pat Brown 320-1438
Your website is fantastic. As I mentioned on CasalsK's
site,
I moved into Co-op City as a child (7 years old) in 1969.
I still live in Co-op with my wife and daughter.
Just recently got elected to the Riverbay Board of Directors.
I will speak to Riverbay about assisting you and CasalsK vis a vis
information for your web site. Was an original resident of building 8.
Had a great childhood. I would like to add some other names for your
"prominent resident listing". Queen Latifah lived in Co-op from 80-84
in building 7 with her mother. Real name is Dana Owens. Stanley Jefferson
formerly with the Mets and Yankees lived on Casals Place now a new york city cop
living in Section 5. Rodney Strickland of the Washington Wizards was a star at
Truman. Would love to hear from anyone who hung out near building 8.
Various members of the Wolfson family lived in Building 5B from 1969 till 1996.
By that time, all us kids had moved away, and my parents George and Doris, wanted
to be near at least one child, so they moved out to Denver, where they are doing fine.
(My dad turns 80 this June!) I am also alive and well, and living in Ithaca, NY. I went
to 6th grade in Shopping Center #1, then to JHS 135, then to Bronx Science. I didn't
know many people back then, being kind of a shy kid, but would love to hear from anyone
I did know! -Elissa
I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHO I SHOULD SPEAK TO ABOUT DOING BUSINESS WITH CO OP CITY, IN PARTICULAR, INSTALLING HIGH SPEED,COST EFFECTIVE,INTERNET ACCESS TO EACH BUILDING.
I suggested he contact the Riverbay Corporation directly.
I grew up in Co-op City from 1969 - 1986. We lived in Bldg 4C.....now live in Jersey. Love to hear from old Co-Op City buddies!
Section 5
Debbie Rothstein Muller <fdnye76L22@NetHere.com>
writes on March 23, 1999: (she had trouble
getting through, so there are duplicate
messages, which I've edited into one)
I lived in Section 5, Building 35 from 1971 to 1979. I went to Columbus
High School. I hung out on Einstein Loop, with Joyce Coel, Helene Bentman,
Helene Cohen, Donna Aloisi, and Florence Trojca. My sisters are Lori
and Mindy. Would love to hear from anybody out there.
I now live in California, and have for 12 years. We are planning to
move back to NY soon.
I enjoyed the site very much. If you have any way of finding out
where old residents are now I would appreciate it. Thanks.
My husband was a vet. He lived at co-op city for years. He moved up to
Sullivan County in 1985. I need to find his daughter. His name is Mr. L C
Bowens (Tony). He lived on the 23rd floor at coop city.
Can you help me?
She adds on April 8, 1999:
I'am lookng for anyone that might remember a man by the name tony. He
has a daughter Shalona. He had a boat at the marina. He did tours.
Please contact me .It's a matter of life and death.
Anybody have any information?
Building 2A original resident
Linda Danzig Rosenberg <LinR@aol.com>
writes on March 8, 1999:
Great page....hope to find some "old" friends. Lived in Bldg. 2A, if
I remember correctly....moved in in 1969 and we thought we were in paradise.
Great page you have here... Just a quick question:
Who do I contact to find out more about Co-Op City?
I'm currently working in Queens, but i now live in NJ,
and I need to find a place to live nearby (the commute is
killing me! :) Any help would be greatly appreciated! :)
Best bet might be the Riverbay Corporation
official site. I commuted from Co-op City to Sperry
in Lake Success for two years. With a car it's doable,
depending on timing and how you feel about the Throgg's
Neck Bridge.
Son-in-law of current residents, possible future resident
I was searching, unsuccessfully, for a site that would convey all the info that
I wanted about the Co-Op City community.
I happened upon your page through Lycos, and found all the info I needed. You
pretty much had everything I needed but the applications!
I do have in-laws that live in a Triple-core building at Donizetti Place, and
they've been trying to get myself and my wife to move there for years. So, I
guess it's time, especially as my family grows.
Thanks, again, for your informative page. Keep up the good work!
<blush>
Let me know what you think as you continue the application process,
and if you eventually move in.
I'm a bit sour on the place, but I think now "What you see
is what you get", and it's one of the best living situations
in New York City.
Couple from Truman
Mitch & Lisa (Kesselman) Schwartz <mlss@earthlink.net>
write on February 1, 1999:
We're looking for old friends. We went to Truman HS in the 70's
now living in California
Regards from a former resident and a former member of the Board of
Director.
The 70's were a hell of a time. New people, rent strikes wonderful people and
a bond that still lasts despite the passage of the years. THE PASSION OF THOSE
DAYS, can we go back please.
My mother god rest her soul worked the main gate of Freedomland.
In 79 April I was employed by Riverbay as a security officer.Today I
sit in the kiosk smack dab in the middle of Co op City.There is no one except
Charley Rosen that knows Co op better.If I can be of help let me know.One thing
I can say in truth how much I love Co op City.It would delight me so to see it
given its due.
I am 59 year old currently and have my own business, in Orlando, Florida -
Benros International Productions, Inc. I worked at Freedomland in 1961,
1963 and 1964, beginning as a trick roper and trick rider in the show, Colossus
(1961). I worked there in 1963 and 1964 as a stuntman and trick roper. I have a
small number of photos and other items (deck of cards) that I would like to make
available to you. I also have a letter, written to me on Freedomland stationary
by Art Moss, who was the vice president of promotions and show - and in the
latter years, General Mgr.
I suggested that Ben talk to Rob Friedman. This material is probably
more appropriate for
his Freedomland page.
I now live in co-op city 29 years.
How long are you living in co-op city??
Looking to talk to people who
live in co-op city. Hope to hear from you soon.
In '69 I moved to Bldg#2. I was 15 yrs. old and learned a lot
about drugs.(mostly pot) I was and still am a guitar player.
My band was at first called "OX"", then "Rapid-Fire". I also was
and still am a tremendous BEATLES and GRAND FUNK RAILROAD fan.
I hung out mostly in the "center" but spent a lot of time on Darrow Place.
And adds on January 7, 1999:
There's got to be someone out there besides my
Bandmates that knows
my name. Write to me and we can rekindle old memories.
I played lots of paddleball by garage 1 (building 2).
I went to Co-Op City Day Camp, elementary school in shopping center 1 (before the educational park opened) JHS 135, and finally Truman HS (graduated in 1976). I lived in Building
4 (Donizetti Pl.)from 1969-1978. Good friends with Steve Friedman (Building 5), Jeff Olefson, Bobby Federbush, and
Steve Dolnick (Building 4).
I group in builing 28 and lived there for 15 years. I went
to Truman High and starred on the Baseball team from 82-84.
I use to hangout with people like Julio Soto, Ron McNeil, Claude
Snead, Steve Thau, Derric McArthur, Ralph Fuentes, Diana Henderson,
Lynne Johnson, etc.
If anyone know where any of these people are, please e-mail at
Bmashack@hotmail.com . I'm on a mission to find some old friends.
I'm living in Atlanta now! Better weather!
Very long-timer notes changes
A visitor who asks that her comments be
included anonymously writes on December 13, 1998:
I am one of the first few residents of Co-op City who is still
left around. I was born in Co-op in 1970 and grew up around all
u guys with older relatives who also lived here. As everyone has
moved on I am still here watching the change take over. Believe
me when I tell u what a sad story it is. One time all ago u
could go to the greenway and enjoy a night
with ur friends on the stage laughing playing a couple of games.
Well today if u care to do that u better have ur uzzi ready. I
remember the days when Dreiser Loop had a pay phone at every
corner well now we only have two phones located inside the center
on the main floor. I remeber those late summer nights well the
crew would walk over to Baskin Robbins for a cone haha u better
have a car if u want ice cream now. I remember when Bartow use
to have the mens store K J Look I use to work there and Dreiser
had the woman's store where u could get nice under clothing.
Well now it is a card shop owned by nothing but the Indians. Oh
and lets not forget the shoe repair in the Dresiser mall owned
now by Russians dont know what happened to Mom and Pap use to
love them. But the memory which really is gone from this all is
the menorahs during Huankauk burning in the windows singing the
songs that are sung at the services. Well now we live in a world
of Kwanzaa who ever came up with that idea. Gee do wish Co-op
City was still what is was years ago. So we could all go back to
the carnival and the fair withouth any worries but must soon
invest in a bullet proff vest. So for those who are still
here good luck stay off the drugs and those who have moved on u
got out in the right time. I hope my memories have been good
ones u can email me at any time thank u
Law-abiding New Yorkers refer to arms only in hyperbole. In much of the rest of the country armed defense is a real option for
law-abiding citizens, and crime is less of an ever-present fear.
That's a more suitable topic elsewhere.
But I don't know when the good old days were. I was mugged in the lobby of Building 7 when this contributor was 8 years old.
I'm glad Co-op City is still serving the needs of some;
but it's never too late to move to where one's situation
would be better.
I would like to find an old friend of mine from when I lived
in co-op I was married in May 1976 and then I moved to Pa.
but I lost contact with my friend, Stewart Whitez I think thats
correct, I first lived in section 4 then when I was married I
moved to section 1 .
I was so excited to hear about this page. I live in Maine now and hear dribs and drabs from time to time from friends still in NY, but this sounds great!!
i grew up in section 4-bldg 20 from 72-86
then moved to bldg 18 for 4 yrs
Was that on your own? How many people who grew
up in Co-op City got their own apartments? I'm
sure many original occupants moved with other family
members (my family did: my grandparents had an apartment
on the local side) and it's not like rent control, but
no doubt some children took over their parents' former
apartments.
I'd guess there would be a big equity hit for an entire
family to move within Co-op City after all those years
(since all amortization accrues to the Corporation, but
buy-in is based on current equity.) For many people
the Bronx in general is appropriate for only stage of
the life of one generation.
write me - I lived in Co-op from 1969-1985 - played
paddleball 7-8 hours a day by bldg. 2 courts. small world!
Maybe we know common folk - did you go to Truman HS?
And adds on December 31, 1998:
I moved into Co-op City in July 1969 (one of the first)
went to Michelangelo I.S. and Truman - played paddleball
at bldg. 2 courts - this is the 2nd time I am writing to this page - I have been
in touch with people from Co-op that I haven't seen in many
years - if you visit this site,
leave your name - it's fun to hear from old
Co-op City folk, what fun memories!!!
Building 10
A nameless contributor<h6t9.@aol.com> writes on November 6, 1998:
I am trying to reach old friends from co-op city
i lived in bldg 10 debs place in 1971.
Do you know of a site to do this. Thanks
This is great.
I lived in building 34 from 12/5/72 through 5/20/85.
I went to PS 160 and IS 180. Graduated from 180 in 6/81.
Then I went to Cardinal Spellman High School from 9/81 through 6/85.
I haven't looked at your whole page yet, but I hope I can
find out what some others are doing. Keep it up!!! Thanks.
This is an interesting site.
It would be great to be able to get in touch with lost friends.
This is was a great idea and I can hardly wait to share it with
people now so they know what a great place I grew up in.
Thanks
I found your site while attempting to find something about Co-op City
or the Bronx.
I lived in Co-op City from 1976 until 1988.
I went off to college in 1988 and currently live in Atlanta.
My parents still live in Co-op.
I have yet to miss a Christmas or New Years eve in Co-op City.
Showed the pictures to her kids
Kathy Roche Silber, now <Kateyes39@aol.com> first
signed in on Sept. 17, 1998 with:
I enjoyed the pictures of Co-op.
Having left in 1978 for California I was able to show my
children where mom & dad grew up.
Lived in section 5 building 34 from 1972 to 1978.
I lived in Bldg. l, Jan.14, l970 to Aug.23, l979, one of
the first to move into this development and have not been back since. Judy Camen also of Bldg 1 and I started the Young Marrieds
club and made many friends thru this group. If anybody remembers they can contact us at above e-mail address.
I don't remember the Young Marrieds Club particularly, but
that was the way things were in the early years -- people
getting together in a cooperative, pioneer spirit.
Good info ..thanks. Lived in bldg. 30a between 71 - 76.
Had some great times. They were still building my building when I moved in. Lived on the 4th floor, plaster was drying on the 16th ! When they laid sod in the common areas, I brought some up to my room and installed it over the wood flooring ! ( at least till the old man came home )
my husband was resident of castle projects and moved to co op when it opened. he has very fond memories of those years. i moved there when we married. my apartment was spacious. i had a beautiful view. and it was air conditioned in the summer. when the family gets together my in-laws reminice about the people they know and the times they enjoyed. and i enjoy listening.
I moved to Co-op City in 1971 from the Grand Concourse area of the Bronx. As a teenager, I had many great times and memories of living in Co-op. One easy way to meet new people was to ask "where are you from?", since NO ONE lived there long (in 1971).
I remember Gary Marx, he was a brother to a friend of mine. His sister was named Teresa and I remember when he died. They closed the shopping center (#1), or at least the record store on the bottom level. The police were rumored to have shot George Marx (I thought his name was George) while he was handcuffed and in custody. He was in the Army for a short time but decided to quit. His family did not live in Co-op, but lived just outside, within short walking distance of Co-op City. I was not real close to him, but we did have a common girl friend at the time he died. She was really sad. Her name was Lori B?al?k , and she lived on Co-op City Blvd in one of the original buildings. I was in the Navy at the time and home for a short time (my nineteenth birthday). I haven't kept in touch with anyone from Co-op, but from the little I do hear, many of my friends have suffered similar fates to George Marx. I lived in Co-op for about 4 yrs (13 yrs old to 17 yrs old) and visited briefly while I was in the service between 1974 and 1977. Although I had some good times and memories, I am very glad to be out of the Bronx. Nothing to do at the time for teens, but get into trouble and hang out in the shopping centers. I hope things have changed for the better.
That record store was Inner City Electronics, although I remembered it
was The Spinning Disk. See the main Co-op City page where
I've included information from the City News. It had some pinball machines
and some early video games in the front, and developed film. It was a hangout for kids before and after Hebrew School next door at Young Israel; I think the synagogue has since expanded into their space.
Hi. Saw your web-site while doing research for
work on Bronx neighborhoods. I also grew up in Co-op but I apparently
have some kind of physic block because I can't remember anybody that I
knew. (I'm probably a year younger,grew up in bldg 15)
In 1980-1983 I worked as assistant, then associate editor on the Co-op City Times. My editors were Ira Rosen, Diane Bennett, Michael Stearns and Selig Adler. I'm living in Silver Spring Md. now and wondering what, if anything, is going on up there. I remember a hotbed of unionists, Stalinists, senior activists, Rebekah Mizrachi and buses to Atlantic City. Best wishes to all!
Retired Firefighter Gun Hill Rd. Bronx Lad.32. I fought the last fires in Freedomland and watched CoOp City being built . I responded to a great many emergencies and fires during CoOp city construction.
Swaying buildings?
An anonymous contributor writes on Dec. 2, 1997:
I lived at 120-30 DeKruif Pl with my mom from 1972-1976. We were the original tenenants of our unit. It was fun being one of the first families there as the place was being built. Some juevinille delinquents were in the complex, but probably not too bad by Bronx standards. It was neat to go up to the roof. On a clear day you could see clear across the Bronx to the Palisades. On windy days, the building swayed enough that in our 30th floor unit, you could see the water in the toilet swish back and forth. I liked the solid concrete construction and the central heat and A/C. All in all it was not to bad an experience.
I, too visited Freedomland often as a child. I remember so
well "Digger O'Toole" the undertaker who would walk around,
asking people how they were..when they said they were fine,
he would reply by saying..."sorry to hear that". Freedomland
was and always will be a one of a kind fun place. There will
never be anything like it again.
I was born and raised in Mt. Vernon and my wife was born
in the Bronx and raised in Pelham.
We moved to Long Island in 1956 and passed Co-op City at
every visit to the relatives we had left behind.
Now we live in Phoenix and it was fun to read about the old
'neighborhood'.
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Benjamin Meyers
