Queens Public Library mourns the loss of our Trustee Ed Sadowsky, a distinguished former City Council member and civic leader, who passed away last night, surrounded by his family. He was 92.
The New York Times posted this obituary about him on its website earlier today.
Ed was appointed to the Board of Trustees in 2008, in large part because of his many contributions to the Queens Public Library system while he was on the Council. One of his greatest accomplishments — which he recalled when he was honored at our 2018 gala — was persuading former Mayor John V. Lindsay to allocate funding in 1973 to help keep the Langston Hughes Community Library and Cultural Center open at its original home in a former Woolworth storefront on 100th Street and Northern Boulevard before its current building was constructed.
Ed also was a tireless advocate for the construction of Hunters Point Library. He was instrumental in securing the site and the City’s financial support for the building, understanding the critical need for a library as the formerly industrial neighborhood shifted to a thriving residential community.
Throughout his tenure on the Board, Ed commanded the respect of his peers and always made clear the Library was his number one priority. He was funny, thoughtful and had a great legal mind.
We will miss Ed terribly. We wish his family members and all of those who loved him peace and send them our deepest condolences.
Dennis M. Walcott
President and CEO, Queens Public Library