_______ Lynbrook/east rockaway ______
HERALD
May 11, 2023
Also serving Bay Park
looK INsIde
salute to Israel
rsary nnive to one a milest on its
Vol. 30 No. 20
Rockin’ Mules start season 10-0
King: recovering from surgery
Page 6
Page 30
MAY 11 - 17, 2023
$1.00
OBITUARy
Lynbrook hero Gerry Denk is dead at 70 life in a eulogy that honored his life and his character. “Gerry will always be with Many in the Lynbrook com- us,” she wrote.“His crazy sense munity remember Gerry Denk of humor, his intelligence, his as the man who uncommon bravery, saved Our Lady of his selfless service Peace from a gunto everyone who man in 2002. To needed him. I will those who loved miss him but know him, however, that he is pain-free and was just one item still beautiful.” on a very long list Schanck’s eulogy of what made him tells the story of a special. man full of They remember strength, love and his contagious dedication to what laughter, his lifeis right. A Vietnam long sense of advenWar veteran. Denk ture, and his comjoined the Marines mitment to his wife, and rose to the rank children and grandof sergeant during children. his time stationed Denk died on in the Philippines. April 27, at age 70, While serving, he after battling throat was diagnosed with cancer. His resilosteosarcoma of the ience lives on in his deNIse sChANCK jaw. Though only 22, family, including undergoing surgery his wife Louise, and chemotherapy, their children. Tara and living thouand Gregory, and their grand- sands of miles away from his children, Nicholas, Olivia, Luca family, he refused to let the situaand Penelope. Gerry’s sister, tion affect his sense of purpose. Denise Schanck, reflected on his Continued on page 10
By NICole FoRMIsANo nformisano@liherald.com
Mark Nolan/Herald photos
MeMBeRs oF the Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook, and East Rockaway village officials, celebrated National Historic Marker Day on April 28 at the Talfor Memorial Boat Basin on Ocean Avenue in East Rockaway.
local history gets a scrubbing The Historical Society of East Rockaway and Lynbrook celebrated National Historic Marker Day two weeks ago in East Rockaway by holding a cleanup in the two communities. The annual event is organized by the William G. Pomeroy Foundation to bring awareness to local historical markers. Not only does the foundation help preserve local history, but it is also dedicated to improving the probability of finding appropriate donor matches or other life-saving treatments for blood cancer patients. The society has received two grants from the foundation in the past. The first was in honor of Henri Charpentier, dubbed the first celebrity chef, whose renowned restaurant one stood on Scranton Avenue, on the East Rockaway-Lynbrook border. The second grant was for a marker honoring Dave Push, a well-known boat captain who lived nearby in the late 19th century. For more information, visit HSERL.com. — Mark Nolan
FRANK toRRe, pResIdeNt of the historical society, cleans the marker designating the first public oven, which was built sometime after 1689.
G
erry will always be with us — his crazy sense of humor, his intelligence, his uncommon bravery, his selfless service to everyone who needed him.