Goodbye, Mr. Mayor

Hundreds of local dignitaries, residents, friends and relatives participated in memorial services on Friday for Cedarhurst Mayor Andrew J. Parise, who died on Feb. 8 at 90.

A funeral Mass was held inside St. Joachim’s R.C. Church, across the street from Kulanu and HAFTR High School on Central Avenue in Cedarhurst. Members of the Jewish community gathered outside while the Mass was underway, and afterwards accompanied the funeral procession two blocks to outside the Levi Yitzchak Library, where it paused.

Benjamin Weinstock, who was named Cedarhurst’s acting mayor following Parise’s death, described him as an “extraordinary member of an elite club, the greatest generation.”

Weinstock said Parise was like family, especially to his daughter, Liat, who attends Stern College.

“To my daughter, he was a surrogate grandfather,” he said. “When I called her at school to tell her [he died], she was devastated.”

Parisi “was a toughtful, caring leader, not afraid of a challenge, personally or politically,” Weinstock said.

Former Senator Al D’Amato said Parise “epitomized the greatest generation; he knew what it was to serve his country with valor and distinction.”

Two memorial funds have been established in Parise’s name: the Cedarhurst Memorial Park Fund, and the Andrew J. Parise Scholarship Fund. Checks for both funds can be made payable to the Incorporated Village of Cedarhurst, indicating in the memo line to which fund they should be applied, and mailed to the 200 Cedarhurst Ave., Cedarhurst 11516.

No contest

Following Mayor Parise’s death, trustee candidates Daniel Burg and Yoel Goldfeder withdrew their petitions, leaving Weinstock and Ari Brown running unopposed for relection on March 18.

“After consultaiton with local community leaders, we agreed that it would be in the best interest of the village to take a step back and allow for healing instead of further discord,” Goldfeder told the Nassau Herald in a written statement.

No candidate peititions were submitted for mayor, so Weinstock will run unchallenged. Cedarhurst will have its first new mayor in 20 years.