Cherished Crossing Guard Cathy Aliperti Retires

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Collage of ceremony honoring Cathy Aliperti. Credit: Michael Perlman

A Forest Hills Crossing Guard, Parent, & Friend To All

A Special Honor at Our Lady of Mercy

By Michael Perlman

“Ms. Cathy is the most hilarious, kindest, polite crossing guard you could ever meet, and all the kids love her and will miss her,” said 10-year-old student Kerry McSweeney of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy in Forest Hills.

Cathy Aliperti, a 29-year Forest Hills resident, has been a beacon of light as a crossing guard at her 70^th Avenue and Kessel Street post from September 2004 until her NYPD retirement this past April. She kept children, parents, and teachers secure, as they made their way to the parochial school or to church. She would also greet residents with a smile, adding light to one’s day. Occasionally, she would fill in for co-workers too. “I was sad to go, but after 20 years of service to the 112^th Precinct, and working through cold winters and Covid, I felt it was my time to retire,” she said.

Aliperti is grateful for the community which becomes an extended family and reminisced her origins. “My interest in becoming a crossing guard came from my children. As a stay at home mom, I looked for a part-time job that would allow me to bring and pick up my daughters from school. As luck would have it, a friend of mine gave me the church bulletin indicating that the 112^th Precinct was in need of crossing guards. After applying, I was sent to One Police Plaza, where for a few months, I underwent a series of training classes, evaluations, and took a test. Then I waited to be placed within my district.”

When asked what Aliperti learned over the years, she feels it is more about what the children have given to her. “Every morning, seeing children from Our Lady of Mercy and P.S. 144 brought such joy to my heart. I loved having our little morning chat, and at day’s end, it was heartwarming to hear children and parents tell me to go home and have a wonderful night.  Words cannot describe the feeling that this community has given me. I enjoyed seeing everyone every day, and a simple smile and hello goes a long way.”

Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy students honor Cathy.

“I was speechless,” said Aliperti, who was not only presented with students’ notes and handmade cards, but a surprise breakfast and a sign in the school’s courtyard garden, which reads, “Cathy Aliperti Crossing.”

Years of experience offer pleasures and challenges. “Winters are cold, wet, and long, and your body hurts, but when the weather gets warm, you are hot, but that’s part of the job. When you’re standing outside, you people watch. I have been asked to watch people’s dogs while they go to church, and even to move people’s cars, so they wouldn’t get a ticket.”

Aliperti offered advice to crossing guard career beginners. “Watch the children, be mindful of your surroundings, be on time, and do your job. Remember, you are a reflection of the NYPD, and also be kind, smile, and say hello, which goes a long way. We never know what other people’s lives are like, and kindness can make someone’s day brighter.”

Aliperti does not know if a family member would follow in her footsteps. “You can never say never, but if you asked me over 20 years ago, if I would be a crossing guard, I don’t know what my answer would have been. You never know where life will lead you, since every day is a new adventure, and I look forward to what is ahead,” she said. Her upcoming plans will entail volunteering within the school community, and she is humbled and grateful to everyone in a wonderful place called Forest Hills. “I hope I gave the school and all the people as much happiness and joy as they have given me. Thank you to Principal Dana McCann for the outpouring of love and effort expressed by herself, her staff, and her students,” she continued.

Since August 2016, Principal McCann has served Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Academy, and feels it is a small town where everyone looks out for one another. “Our nurturing teachers bring Catholic expression, identity, and social service into practice. We incorporate 21st century critical math, science, reading, and integrative technology into our curriculum,” she explained.

She feels that Aliperti is truly an Our Lady of Mercy icon, who served the school from parent to crossing guard to Board of Trustees member to volunteer. “Cathy’s altruistic nature touched the lives of all who crossed her intersection and walked through our doors. Cathy is the first person to ask ‘What do you need?’ and ‘How can I help?’” After her retirement, she volunteered backstage as costume mistress during their production of “Romeo & Juliet.” “She continued to support our students through her kindness,” said McCann.

Parents and faculty have known Aliperti in various roles and decided to coordinate a surprise celebration. She explained, “Our third-grade class sang ‘New York, New York’ for her. We wanted to honor her legacy, and dedicated a sign and wind chime in our courtyard. It was bittersweet, since Cathy has given herself so selflessly for many years.” Since Aliperti’s retirement, McCann and everyone finds it challenging to face an empty street corner.

“A crossing guard is vital. Cathy was a symbol of safety who taught students to develop safety skills. She was a role model for pedestrians and drivers,” said McCann.

“Parents knew that their child was placed into loving hands once they crossed Cathy’s intersection, got greeted at the door, and stepped into a circle of learning, friendship and great charity,” said Sister Ann Desiano, who formerly served as the director of religious study at Our Lady of Mercy and is now a member of the religious order at Immaculate Heart of Mary. She feels that Aliperti embodies the values of the Our Lady of Mercy community in a very public way, consisting of great faith, genuine care, and love. “May Cathy who watched so faithfully over so many, find joy and blessings in retirement,” she continued.

Cathy Aliperti with her celebratory sign.

“Cathy is a roll up her sleeves leader who proceeds with a smile,” said Rubi Gaddi, an OLMCA former advisory board member. “In addition to her many responsibilities, she also served as a school board member and organized many successful fundraisers.” They include a Christmas luncheon for the past two years, 50/50 raffles, and fashion shows.

Class of 2007 graduate James Dukas sees OLMCA as a symbol of children from well-rounded families creating memories, learning, growing and laughing, as their parents found the same friendships growing as years progress. He is grateful for an intelligent, talented, successful and loyal group of nearly 20 friends that get together weekly for over 17 years. “We look after and motivate each other, and some of us even work together. It’s a bond that started as friends in a school uniform, to a big family around the dinner table,” he said.

The same values are reminiscent of Aliperti, who has been their crossing guard for as long as he can recall. Dukas’ message to her is “Thank you for always looking out for us, thank you for talking to the parents and keeping them entertained so us kids can play and run on the lawn, thank you for keeping us safe and alert when crossing the street. Thank you for always being positive and happy, and never showing signs of negativity. You never looked like you were having a bad day, always worked with a big smile and a laugh you can hear down the block. Your energy was contagious. It’s that type of energy you want in your crossing guard. These won’t be easy shoes to fill.”

Family is the first word that comes to mind for Deborah Makin, the mother of alumni Emma and Noah Makin. She said, “When I think of Cathy, she treats everyone like family. She always had a loving, watchful eye on our children, and anyone who crossed her path. Her hard work and dedication to her job is unmatched, and I can’t think of anyone more deserving of the relaxation of retirement than her.”

Former science teacher Annamarie Smolenski embraces the academy’s close-knit community, where Aliperti was a major part of its life. Additionally, she found her to be involved and loving as a parent. She explained, “We always had an open relationship and could discuss how best to help her girls blossom. It helped that her girls were amazing students and wonderful people. As the Wizard said to the Tin Man, ‘A heart is not measured by how much we love, but how much we are loved by others.’ Cathy is a very loved and respected part of our Forest Hills family.”

Aliperti exemplifies how no one should be treated like a number. Danielle Tommaso, a mother of four graduates, said, “Cathy’s smiling face and warm and cheerful personality was always a great reason to walk on her side of the street! She seemed to know each and every kid by name, grade, and family. Now the next crossing guard will have big shoes to fill.”

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