NEWARK, NJ — Roberto Madan has dedicated his life to serving his local communities in Newark and across New Jersey as a teacher, mentor, business owner and leader. Now, when people look up near the intersection of McCarter Highway and Chestnut Street – the spot where Madan owns and runs a McDonald's restaurant – they will officially know he's left his mark.

Last month, Newark city officials honored Madan with a street renaming ceremony at a stretch of Chestnut Street at the intersection of McCarter Highway that will now be known as Roberto Madan Way. "I am honored to receive this recognition from the City of Newark," Madan said. "I have dedicated my life to supporting our local community and creating opportunities to pave the way forward for the next generation - and I hope that this momentous honor will inspire others to do the same."



According to a statement from the McDonald's New York Metro Region: "Madan, 93, has dedicated his life to serving his local communities in Newark and across New Jersey as a teacher, mentor, business owner and leader. He became a McDonald's Owner/Operator in the late 1970s and now operates eight restaurants in the state. He was the first recipient of the President Award from the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce. As an active member of the Hispanic community, Madan established the Ronald McDonald House Charities Hispanic American Commitment to Educational Resources (RMHC/HACER) Scholarship Program in 1987 to which provide opportunities for Hispanic youth in the New York metropolitan area. To date, the program has awarded more than $8 million in scholarships to more than 1,200 local high school students.

"Born in Havana, Cuba, Madan served as a teacher until the Cuban Revolution in 1959. After moving to the United States, he earned two degrees from Rutgers University to continue his career as a teacher. His dedication to communities across New Jersey has earned him several prestigious honors, including the NJ Institute of Technology Financial Steering Board, "Hombre Internacional del Ano", at the Puerto Rican Statewide parade of NJ Roberto Clemente Little League, Boy Scouts of America Scouting Vale La Pena! 2008 Service Award." Don't forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page here.

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