Legislators push to rename bridge to honor fallen NY National Guard member

Two local legislators hope to rename a bridge in honor of a fallen New York Army National Guard member.

State Sen. Pat Fahy and Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara are working together to introduce a law renaming the bridge between Kellar Avenue and South Thompson Street in Rotterdam the John M. Grassia III Memorial Bridge.

Grassia’s helicopter crashed during a National Guard mission in Texas last year. He lost his life, along with Casey Frankoski from Rensselaer.

Renaming this bridge would express the Capital Region’s grateful appreciation for someone who dedicated his purposeful life and career to serve and protect, the legislators said.