September 7, 2023

Queens – On Thursday, September 7, Council Member Julie Won was joined by the family of John Vogt, representatives from White Castle, the Sunnyside Shines Business Improvement District, and community members for a street co-naming of the corner of 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard as “John Vogt Place.” John Vogt was a stalwart in the Sunnyside community, one of the founding members of the Sunnyside Shines BID, and a dedicated White Castle employee for over four decades. 

According to John’s wife, Candida Vogt, the White Castle on 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard was his “place.” He started his illustrious White Castle career as a janitor at 14. He eventually became the Regional Director of The New York Region, with the White Castle at 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard as his home base. He retired in 2014 after 44 years of dedication to the company. 

Throughout his life, John participated in many civic activities. He served as the longtime Board Chair of Sunnyside Shines, the local BID that he was instrumental in founding in 2007. He was also a former president and leader of the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce and a supporter of local businesses in Sunnyside and beyond.

“John Vogt was known and beloved by all in Sunnyside, and I was happy to introduce the legislation to co-name 43rd Street and Queens Boulevard as “John Vogt Place” at the White Castle where he dedicated his professional life,” said Council Member Julie Won. “John’s dedication to his community extended beyond White Castle, including his leadership roles at Sunnyside Shines and Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce. He lived life to build friendships, give respect to anyone, and make memories wherever he served. Thank you to John Vogt’s family, Sunnyside Shines, White Castle, and our community for helping us to honor his life and legacy.”   

 “John Vogt was an amazing man, a wonderful human being, and a great leader. He gave of himself to Sunnyside for decades, serving in a number of roles, always working to improve the community,” said Sunnyside Shines Executive Director, Dirk McCall de Palomá. He fought hard to bring resources to Sunnyside, to beautify the neighborhood, to promote our small businesses, and to make sure Sunnyside Shined.”

“John Vogt deeply cared about Sunnyside. He was enmeshed in the fabric of our community for over twenty years and was unfailing in giving his time, his energy, and his talents,” said Sunnyside Shines Treasurer Artie Weiner. “He was one of the most inspirational and kind people I have ever known and I was proud to serve with him on the boards of Sunnyside Shines and the Sunnyside Chamber of Commerce. John is greatly missed – his infectious laugh and joyous approach to life engaged people in our work, and we miss him terribly.

“I am proud that Councilmember Julie Won was able to secure this wonderful co-naming in memory of John Vogt. ‘John Vogt Place,’ as this corner will be named, is also a place in our hearts,” said Sunnyside Shines Secretary Gerald Lederman. “He came to us from White Castle and hosted so many big community events here and it is fitting that we will have this sign to share his legacy with the greater Sunnyside community. He was an outstanding board chair, and he was able to find consensus in times of disagreement, to work with everyone in the community, and to lead us to a more beautiful community.”