N.J. gives newspaper owner sign of respect
CLOUDY SKIES couldn’t block the sun shining Monday on Antonio Ibarria’s face.
The charismatic owner of one of the largest Spanish-language newspapers in the New York City region was immortalized by a street named after him in Union City, N.J.
“This is the American dream,” said Ibarria, 79, owner of El Especialito.
Part of 38th St. in front of El Especialito’s headquarters was renamed Antonio Ibarria Way to honor Ibarria’s decades of helping to lift up the Hispanic community in New York and New Jersey.
“He represents what a business person and a humanitarian should be,” said Union City Mayor Brian Stack, who was on hand for the street unveiling. “He came here from Cuba and has done so much.”
Besides launching El Especialito — which circulates in New York City, New Jersey and Miami — in 1995, Ibarria started the Hoy newspaper in 1998 and El Clarin in the 1970s. He’s also founded such organizations as Save Latin America, a nonprofit that provides educational and medical programs for Latin American immigrants.
Ibarria vowed to continue to help his community for years to come.
“I know I’ll be able to live up to 140, so I know I'll be able to continue to help,” he said.