Gazing upon Saint Johns Cemetery, one can almost feel the weight of history. This sprawling expanse in Middle Village, Queens, is more than just a burial ground. It’s a repository of New York City’s vibrant and sometimes infamous past. Saint Johns Cemetery opened in 1879. It quickly became the final resting place for a diverse array of New Yorkers, from governors to mob bosses.
Saint Johns Cemetery houses the remains of prominent figures like Mario Cuomo, the former governor of New York. He served from 1983 to 1995. Nearby lies the grave of John F. Hylan, New York City’s mayor from 1918 to 1925. Geraldine Ferraro, the first female vice presidential candidate from a major American political party, also rests here.
The cemetery’s inhabitants also include figures from the city’s darker side. “Lucky” Luciano, considered the father of modern organized crime, is buried within Saint Johns Cemetery. Not far away lies the grave of John Gotti, the notorious head of the Gambino crime family. Their presence adds a layer of intrigue to this already fascinating place. Other notable burials include Charles Atlas, the fitness guru, and Robert Mapplethorpe, the controversial photographer.
The sheer size of Saint Johns Cemetery is impressive. It’s one of the largest cemeteries in New York State, rivaled only by St. Charles/Resurrection Cemeteries in East Farmingdale, Long Island. Its vastness speaks to the countless lives that have shaped New York City’s history. As you wander through the rows of tombstones, you can’t help but feel a connection to the past. The stories whispered by the stones create a powerful narrative of ambition, notoriety, and ultimately, mortality. Saint Johns Cemetery offers a glimpse into the soul of New York City, a place where the famous and infamous rest side by side. It serves as a poignant reminder of the city’s rich and complex tapestry of human experience.