Vaughan Street Named After Israeli Astronaut

Ilan Ramon was one of seven people on board the Space Shuttle Columbia when it broke up upon re-entry claiming the lives the entire crew in February of 2003. More than four years later, the only Israeli to ever enter space was honoured and immortalized when Vaughan city officials unveiled a street sign bearing his name Sunday.

“While we have in our Jewish history many heroes, we thought because this is a community of young families, young people . this name is still recognizable to them and that’s why we chose it,” said Patricia Tolken-Appel of the UJA. “He was a modern-day hero, who unfortunately was killed in his first space flight and we’re just delighted to have the opportunity to make that recognition here in York Region.”

Sunday’s unveiling coincided with a Jewish festival and the new street runs along the Lubovic Centre, the future site of a high school and social services agencies, a centre that Vaughan Mayor Linda Jackson says is sorely needed by all members of the community.

“There are so many much-needed services that are going to come into this facility,” she promised. “This is certainly going to be a shining example of bringing all those services under one roof.”