This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
Father Joe remembered as Steeplechase Santa and family idol
The piece recalls Father Joseph De Maria known as Father Joe a Milwaukee priest who grew up in Red Hook and mentored by Father Schroder He funded annual visits from Carroll Gardens to Coney Island Steeplechase Park for neighborhood children and blessed families with rosaries medals and prayer cards The 1975 trip to Milwaukee ended with his death and his black bag becoming a cherished heirloom that links generations Steeplechase Park itself is long gone but Father Joe remains a memory of generosity within the community
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Father Joseph de Maria
Father Joe
Red Hook
Father Schroder
Joe
St. Anthony of Padua
Milwaukee
St. George
Brooklyn Heights