Mario Esposito Junior looks at a joyful photo of his late parents every day.

He says it reminds him of what a true public servant his father, Mario Esposito Senior, was.

So, he’s advocating for a New Staten Island Ferry Boat to be named after him.

"Everything he did in his life to give back to his community, to give back to his country, and to give to his family should be honored,” Esposito, Jr. says.

A native Staten islander, Esposito, Sr. served as Richmond County Clerk for nearly 18 years, starting in 1983 until his death in 2001.

His day job was at the County Clerk office, but his extra time was given to several charities.

"Mario never said no to anybody or anything," Esposito, Jr. says.

Esposito, Sr. was a long-time president of American Parkinson’s Disease Association, a Founding member of the Seton Foundation for Learning, and a Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Guard, and much more.

"He was a true public servant. He really loved his community. He really loved his country and he’s a role model," his son says.

Esposito has support from the Wagner College Alumni Association where his father served as President and a Board of Trustees Member.

There are other petitions advocating for names of first responders and military members who died in the line of duty that have gained large support online, including fallen NYPD officer Russel Timoshenko, Firefighter Stephen Siller,  and Firefighter  Edward del Pino.

There is also a petition to name a boat after the oldest settlement of free African Americans in the United States, started by Council Member Debi Rose. 

Esposito says he respects those who gave their life, and hopes his father will be considered for giving his time. 

"My father, most respectfully, stands shoulder to shoulder with all of them that are being considered," he says.

The new ferry boats are scheduled to launch in 2019 and 2020. A spokesman from the Mayor's office says there will be an open process to gather input from the community and public officials to determine names for the new boats. The timeline for the process is still being determined.