Lee’s Tavern Founder Honored

The street outside Lee’s Tavern will be renamed to honor the founder of one of Staten Island’s top pizza places:

Twenty years after Diego (Dickie) Palemine, the former owner of Lee’s Tavern in Dongan Hills, was killed in a fire in Puerto Rico, Islanders will rename a street in his memory.

The corner of Hancock Street and Garretson Avenue, outside Lee’s Tavern, is slated to be renamed “Diego ‘Dickie’ Palemine Corner” in a ceremony [Sunday].

Councilman James Oddo (R-Mid-Island/Brooklyn), along with friends and family of Palemine, will join longtime patrons of the Dongan Hills tavern to unveil the new sign.

In December 1986, Palemine was vacationing in San Juan with his wife and children, and several friends.

A New Year’s Eve fire at the Dupont Plaza Hotel casino, attributed to arson, ripped through the building and killed 96 people, including Palemine.

His wife was plucked by helicopter from the roof of the 17-story hotel and his children were safe at an outdoor pool while the fire ravaged the building.

His widow, Cathy Palemine, said that when her children reached adulthood, they decided to petition the city to rename the street corner.

The family still operates Lee’s.

Plain Pie, Lee’s Tavern: