Recently, along with her family, friends, colleagues, elected officials and community members, we dedicated 'Michigan Ave' in Bellport, to 'Tanya Indrani Bathija Avenue in her memory. Tanya Bathija was an amazing young woman who, as a daughter, a sister, a friend, a powerful businesswoman and CEO, and a mentor to young ladies in our community, left a mark everywhere she went. This beautiful Dunkin Donuts (pictured at right) was once the site of a vacant and blighted building, and her vision and partnership with Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio, was to turn this blight into light. She transformed this parcel in the community into a thriving business and supported the local residents with whom she employes there.
Tanya was a dedicated volunteer for the Boys & Girls Club of the Bellport Area and a Director at Sunrise Day Camp-Long Island, a camp which supports and provides services for children who are battling cancer. Her philanthropic efforts will never go unnoticed, and her foundation is still carrying on with her vision to help support underprivileged children, empowering women and promoting cultural and social values.
Councilman Loguercio said, "Tanya is missed terribly, and her life is celebrated through the many businesses and ongoing foundation work that still carries on today. I am proud to have known her and will always be inspired by her light, generosity and her incredible passion for always helping a fellow human being. Her father Ben and her family are amazing and generous people, who unfortunately lost their daughter tragically. We wish them all peace and comfort and know that she is looking down on us all and her legacy will live on forever."
Pictured at right inside the Dunkin Donuts are Suffolk County Legislator Dominick Thorne; Suffolk County Legislator Jim Mazzarella; Brookhaven Town Supervisor Dan Panico; Brookhaven Town Councilman Michael Loguercio; Brookhaven Town Deputy Supervisor/Councilman Neil Foley, Gobind 'Ben' Bathija (father), Sonny Bathija (brother), Pooja Shannon Bathija (sister), Sonia Bathija (mother) and Deputy Commissioner, Suffolk County Fire Rescue Services (FRES), Rudy Sunderman.