CITY OF NEWBURGH – Dozens of people attended a ceremony on Friday in which Newburgh renamed a stretch of Chambers Street after the city’s first black licensed plumber, Julius H. Robinson Sr.

Patricia Robinson, his widow, was joined by members of the City Council, plumbers and friends of the family as a street sign reading “Julius Robinson Sr. Memorial Drive” was uncovered at the corner of Chambers and South streets.

“My sadness is that he’s not here for this occasion,” Patricia Robinson said. “But I know he would be well-pleased.”

Before dying in 2014, Robinson was a master plumber for more than 50 years and founded Julius H. Robinson Plumbing and Heating in the 1990s at 171 Chambers St., just south of corner where the street sign was erected. He also served on Newburgh’s plumbing board and was chairman at the time of his death.

Councilman Torrance Harvey said Robinson was his plumber for many years.

“Any time of the day or night, if I ever gave Mr. Robinson a call, he was always there within minutes,” he said. “Mr. Robinson was, and will continue to be, a pillar of this community.”