By Julie Shapiro
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
TRIBECA — It was a celebration Albert Capsouto would have loved — all of his friends from the TriBeCa community gathered in Capsouto Frères, his restaurant, tasting hors d’oeuvres and sipping champagne.
Since Capsouto died of a brain tumor last January at the age of 53, the community has found many ways to honor him, and on Thursday afternoon they found one more.
Assemblywoman Deborah Glick and State Sen. Daniel Squadron presented Capsouto’s family with a framed resolution praising Capsouto’s service to the neighborhood, as a leader on Community Board 1, a pioneering restaurateur and an advocate for small businesses.
“We hope this will find a place here for everyone to see, to know for years and years to come how important Albert was to us,” Glick said.
Jacques Capsouto, one of Albert’s two brothers, choked up as he thanked Glick and Squadron for their recognition. Jacques said he always knew Albert spent a lot of time on community work, but Jacques only realized how much Albert accomplished and how much he meant to so many people after his death.
Stuyvesant High School, Capsouto’s alma mater, has started a scholarship in his memory, and New York Downtown Hospital is collecting donations in Capsouto’s name as well.
Capsouto’s brothers and Community Board 1 also hope to rename TriBeCa’s CaVaLa Park after Capsouto, but the city Parks Dept. has not yet agreed.
Four months after his brother’s death, Jacques said Thursday that he was still adjusting to Albert’s absence at the restaurant and in daily life.
“I still can’t believe it,” Jacques said.
