Local Hero

The Toast of Philadelphia

City Council names a neighborhood thoroughfare in honor of native son Mario Lanza.

By Bill Ronayne

On December 10, 2020, Philadelphia’s City Council passed a resolution naming the 1200 block of Reed Street, on which the Mario Lanza Museum is located, “Mario Lanza Way.” This was done in honor of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the celebrated tenor from South Philly, who also has a pocket park on the 300 block of Catharine Street named after him.

The Mario Lanza Institute entered into this project with the assistance of Councilman Mark Squilla and the Passyunk Square Civic Association and with the cooperation of the residents of Reed Street to pay tribute to Mario Lanza, who was born Alfredo Cocozza on Christian Street. Lanza was a gifted Italian American who rose from humble means to great heights in an all-too-brief life and career. He was also a proud son of Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love and the birthplace of the United States.

The signs were installed on Friday, January 29, 2021, a few days before the actual 100th anniversary of Lanza’s birth on January 31. COVID-19 restrictions and the weather made it difficult to do an in-person unveiling ceremony, but highlights can be found on the Mario Lanza Institute’s Facebook page.

A copy of the City Council resolution was given to the Mario Lanza Institute and will be put on display in the Mario Lanza Museum for all to see. ■