City ponders renaming street to honour boy hit and killed in crosswalk

A stretch of road in Winnipeg's St. Vital neighbourhood could soon have an honorary new name that of an eight-year-old boy who once attended the elementary school at the end of the street.

A city committee will consider a proposal to designateVarennes Avenue, west of St. Anne's Road, as Surafiel Way.

Eight-year-oldSurafielMusseTesfamariamdied while on his way to cole Varennes school on the morning of Feb. 13, 2018.

A pickup truck hit him while he was with his mother and younger brother, crossingSt. Anne's Roadin a crosswalk at Varennes.

Thehonorary name would be given to asingle-block stretch of Varennes, with the school at one end and St. Anne's at the other.

The blue semi-circle honorary sign would beinstalled above the official street name fora period not exceeding 10years, the committee report says.

The honorary name was a request fromTesfamariam's family as a way to pay tribute to a boy they called "a positive light" in their letter to the city.

"As parents we will forever feel the loss and missing piece of our hearts," wrote his parents,Adiam and Musse.

They describedTesfamariamasan excellent student who excelled in mathematics and was loved by his teachers and his peers. Heloved living in Winnipeg and was the biggest fan of the Winnipeg Jets, proudly yelling "True North" during the anthem, the letter says.

"Surafiel represents the joy of our city. The diversity and love for its beauty and citizens," the letter says.

The honoraryname has been recommended by the city's administration.If it is approved at Monday'smeeting of the Riel community committee, it will then go beforethe property and development committee.