Michael Simanowitz (1971-2017), affectionately known as "Mikey," was a dedicated public servant for over 20 years in Queens. Simanowitz, who grew up in Forest Hills, spent 15 years as Chief of Staff to former Assemblymember Nettie Mayersohn of Assembly District 27. He was then elected as an assemblymember himself in 2011, representing the district that included Kew Gardens Hills, where a street was named for him, and Pomonok, where he called the Electchester Co-Ops home.

Prior to his legislative career, he served as the commanding officer of the 107th Auxiliary Police Unit, where he achieved the rank of Deputy Inspector. As an auxiliary officer, Simanowitz played a key role in the rescue efforts following the 9/11 attacks and assisted during the Northeast Blackout of 2003.

During his time in the Assembly, Simanowitz sponsored and passed several notable laws, including one requiring parental consent for minors to receive body piercings and another prohibiting the use of unclaimed bodies for medical or mortuary school purposes without the written consent of a spouse, next of kin, or unless the deceased had registered as a body donor.

Simanowitz was instrumental in advancing legislation that strengthened drunk driving laws, protected vulnerable children and rape victims, and created a pilot program for stroke centers in Queens and Brooklyn, which eventually expanded to 110 regional hospitals.

Simanowitz passed away in 2017 at the age of 46 from cancer, which is believed to be linked to his rescue efforts after 9/11.