Even under a gray Monday sky, Yorktown was filled with gratitude as the community gathered to honor the legacy of Captain Kenneth Sgroi through acts of kindness held in his name.
The Sgroi family joined Police Chief Robert Noble, Yorktown Supervisor Ed Lachterman, members of the Yorktown Police Department, Jim Rathschmidt of United for the Troops and the DiNoia family for a presentation of donations in Sgroi’s honor.
March 16 marked the fourth annual Captain Kenneth Sgroi Act of Kindness Day in Yorktown, celebrating his life, service and commitment to the community. Sgroi, a Yorktown police officer, died from a sudden illness on Jan. 2, 2023. The annual observance falls on the anniversary of the day he joined the Yorktown Police Department.
“The Sgroi family’s lives were forever tragically altered when Kenny was lost,” Noble said. “Yorktown Police Department family would share in this grief, and also experience an unthinkable and irreplaceable loss. Those who knew Ken, they knew that his family was the love of his life and that is very evident by the strong show of family love and support today.”
Sgroi was the beloved husband of Anne and father to his children, Gabriella and Joseph. He was the son of Alice and the brother of Pamela and her wife, Lisa. He was also the uncle of nieces Ava and Layla and nephew Julian — all of whom were in attendance. Anne’s mother, Lori Cotellessa, and her brother, Tim, were also in attendance.
He loved Yorktown and loved his career, Noble said.
“Physically and morally strong. Always professional, with a tremendous sharp wit and sense of humor. If you needed somebody to get the job right, Kenny was your guy,” Noble said. “If it was a tough spot out there, and you needed somebody to back you up, Kenny was your guy. You needed somebody to give you an unexpected laugh, brighten up your day a little bit, when you thought something else might have been coming your way, Kenny was your guy.”
Noble said he and his officers were “blessed” to know Sgroi. It’s that legacy that continues to be honored and remembered each year by the department and the town. In 2023, the Yorktown Town Board passed a resolution recognizing March 16 annually as “Captain Kenneth Sgroi Act of Kindness Day.”
“It still doesn't seem real that Kenny has been gone for this long. The days are long, but the years seem to go by fast,” Anne Sgroi said. “A lot has changed in the past three years, but what has remained constant is the support from Chief Noble, Yorktown police and the town of Yorktown.”
Their children, Gabriella and Joseph, love to visit where their dad worked and see his name and picture displayed in his honor.
“I love that Gabriella and Joseph will also get to see the amazing amount of donations in honor of their dad,” she said. “They will always know how special he was to Yorktown. Yorktown police will always be a part of our family.”
This year’s recipients were United for the Troops, which provides care packages to deployed U.S. service members, and the DiNoia family, who lost their home in a fire last month.
“I did not have an opportunity to meet your son or your husband or your dad, but I can say without a doubt what an extraordinary man he was — not only a devoted public servant to this department and the Yorktown community,” John DiNoia said. “Even in his passing, he continues his legacy of service, giving me and my family as a recipient of this gesture. I will be forever grateful.”
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