Veterans push for clarity on ‘DeVito’ field name

For decades, Yorktown residents of all ages have visited the field and track on Veterans Road behind the Albert A. Capellini Community and Cultural Center for everything from gentle walks and soccer practice to outdoor movies and concerts. But what few may realize is that the name commonly used to mark the area has long been a point of contention for local veterans groups.

Over time, residents have sometimes shortened the name to the Jack DeVito Memorial Field and Track, dropping the “Veterans” from its full name, Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field and Track. The site, which is owned by the town, has also occasionally been misnamed in event materials.

Maj. Michael Sheridan, chairman of the Veterans Advisory Committee, called the errors a misnomer—a slight to local veterans.

John “Jack” DeVito, a Yorktown resident and business owner from the 1950s until his death in 1993, served in the 56th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Brigade during the Korean War. He was the “son” in the family business, A. DeVito and Son, and was active in youth programs through the Lion’s Club, Yorktown Athletic Club, and initiatives for children with special needs. He received the Lion’s Club’s highest humanitarian honor, the Melvin Jones Award.

After his sudden death, the community helped build a gazebo on the site, improve the existing park and playing field, and fund the original playground at what became known as the Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field and Track. Meeting minutes from 1994 show the site was initially proposed as the DeVito Memorial Field before the compromise name was agreed on to also honor veterans.

Town officials said what makes the naming issue challenging is that both DeVito as an individual and local veterans as a group deserve recognition.

The Jack DeVito Foundation, established after his death, has operated for more than 30 years, providing over $1 million to underprivileged children and families and supporting local nonprofits.

This issue was raised in 2023, when, in addition to the name change, Veterans Advisory Committee members said they would like to see a more tangible monument to service members at the site. At the time, Parks Commissioner Patrick Cumiskey said his department opposed changing the field’s name but had no objection to other changes. However, no action was taken at the time.

The Veterans Advisory Committee is asking the town to formally name the site’s individual parcels: the gazebo, the field and track and the flag plaza at the corner of Maple Hill Street. The town directed the committee and the DeVito family to reach a private consensus, which would then be submitted for approval.

Sheridan told the Town Board on Jan. 13 that officially naming the field on Veterans Road remains a top priority for the committee, which began meeting in 2020. The committee does not believe there is any record of the town formally naming the field—though signage on the field says Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field and Track.

“The town has misrepresented the manner in which it came to be assumed to be named for something for which it is not,” Sheridan said. “The Veterans Advisory Committee asks and expects that the field be named the Veterans Field and dedicated to all the veterans of Yorktown.”

In a resolution presented to the Town Board, the Yorktown Heights Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8328 and Yorktown American Legion Post 1009 formally asked that portions of the field and park be renamed to honor all veterans. The proposal would divide the site into three sections: the Jack DeVito Memorial Gazebo, recognizing DeVito’s contributions as a veteran and community member; the Veterans Field and Track, honoring all local veterans; and the Veterans Memorial Flag Plaza, commemorating fallen soldiers and veterans.

“This is the third time that we've done this,” Nick DeVito, a family member, told the Town Board at its Jan. 13 work session. “As little as two years ago, it was brought to our attention that some of the veterans felt slighted.

“I think the field was being referred to publicly as the Jack DeVito Field, as opposed to the Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field, which is what we believe the proper name of the field is.”

Supervisor Ed Lachterman told Yorktown News that “records were not kept as accurately” in the 1990s as they are now and noted that the naming was “never memorialized three decades ago.”

Sheridan told Yorktown News the committee invited the DeVito family to speak privately before an upcoming public meeting; the family said they are coordinating a date, are willing to work with the Veterans Advisory Committee, and hope to reach an agreement that honors all parties.

“We believe the Jack DeVito Veterans Memorial Field and Track appropriately memorializes the immense contributions and charitable support of former resident and military Veteran Jack DeVito to the Yorktown community. The Jack DeVito Foundation is proud to continue building on Jack’s legacy for the past 32 years, by providing financial and other assistance towards underprivileged children and families in both Yorktown and the Westchester/Putnam community,” Kyle DeVito, on behalf of the Jack DeVito Foundation, wrote in a statement to Yorktown News.

“As a service organization, we greatly respect and admire our veterans and the sacrifices and service they provide," the statement continued.  "We look forward to working together with the Veterans Advisory Committee to ensure our veterans, too, receive the honor, support, and recognition they deserve."

Sheridan said he is “doubtful” that a formal naming by the town is happening any time soon and added that the committee is “expecting a long grind forward” but its members are “prepared just in case we encounter a breakthrough.”

Lachterman said he wants both groups to “go through the process,” and hopes they can reach a private consensus to present to the board.

“There's a lot of history that has to be unpacked, and you don't want to slight any of the people involved,” Lachterman said. “I think it's only fair that we look into the situation.”