SUNNYSIDE — Community leaders and residents are mourning this week after Lily Gavin, the owner of Dazie's restaurant on Queens Boulevard and an active advocate in the neighborhood, died Wednesday at the age of 85.
The local businesswoman was known by many as the owner of Dazie's, an Italian eatery in business for more than 40 years that's drawn celebrity clientele like Tony Bennett and once served as the backdrop for a scene of the hit show "30 Rock."
But Gavin was also an engaged civic leader — a board member of the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, former president of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and one of the first women to join the Sunnyside Kiwanis Club, according to her obituary.
"She was an icon for the neighborhood. She was a friend," said Debra Markell Kleinert, the district manager for Queens Community Board 2. "She cared about each person as if they were her personal family members."
In a statement released by the board Wednesday, member Joe Conley credited Galvin as among those who fought to restore the famed Sunnyside Arch on 46th Street, and was "instrumental" in establishing and expanding the Long Island City YMCA's facility on Queens Boulevard.
"Lily's door was always open," Conley wrote. "Lily made sure everyone had a seat at the table and more importantly a voice."
Gavin is survived by several children and grandchildren, according to her obituary.
Her wake will take place Friday, Saturday and Sunday at Edward D. Lynch Funeral Home at 43-07 Queens Blvd., and a funeral mass is planned for Monday morning at Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Church in Forest Hills. Both are open to the public, and details on the services can be found here.
"Lily was a positive force in Sunnyside, working tirelessly with so many local organizations for the benefit of the community," the Sunnyside Shines BID wrote on its Facebook page Wednesday. "We will miss her dearly."
