August 2024: Volume 24 - Issue 11 - Etcetera for August 2024

Etcetera for August 2024

Peppercorns in Hicksville

Peppercorns in Hicksville is officially closed. Julie Ugarte, a resident, created a petition on Change.org  to save the building from destruction. This is the update from Julie Ugarte:  We currently have 2,416 signatures, and the Department of Planning and Development has said upon receiving the application that there has been a hold put on 25E Marie Street until a decision about landmark status is finalized. No demolition or exterior change can be made until then.

In Memoriam

*We recently learned James A. Swiatek (Class of 1968) passed away on June 4, 2008 from bile duct cancer. His brother, Glenn M. Swiatek, Esq. wrote to HixNews: I talked to Bob Casale about this a few years ago, but it never happened. I know he had other things going on. Bob lived across the street from us on Edgewood Drive. He actually used to babysit me when I was a little tyke. Very few people outside of our family know of his passing. I would like to hear from some of his classmates. My email address is This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. You might remember Glenn from his time attending Lee Avenue Elementary & HJHS through the 8th grade and for a short time during his senior year. The Editors encourage you to email Glenn.

*We also recently learned Karen Feinberg Mahon (Class of 1970) passed away from cancer on July 30, 2022. (Submitted by her sister, Laura Feinberg Scholtka (Class of 1972)).

*While searching for obituaries, we learned of the passing of Joanne Irene Kleiner (Class of 1970) on June 1, 2021.

*Thank you to Thomas Murphy for submitting the obituary of John M. Lepper (Class of 1968) on December 26, 2023.

*Bob Fulgham let us know about the passing of his good friend, James P. Dugan (Jimmy D), Class of 1973) on June 1, 2024. Bob reports, "He was a good guy who always had a smile on his face. When I got out of the Air Force, Jimmy and Tim Reddy flew out to California, and we spent two weeks meandering across the country back to NY. It was one of the best times of my life, filled with great memories. Jimmy lived in Hicksville his entire life. Rest well, my friend."

*Thank you to Karen Jenkins (Class of 1962) for letting us know about the passing of John H. Marcel (Class of 1975) on August 2, 2024.

*It is with great sadness that I must report that my lifelong buddy and dear friend, Len Cuccaro, Class of 1957, passed away on July 28, 2024. He was a retiree from Grumman and living in Roanoke, VA. His obit can be seen at Leonard Cuccaro Obituary (2024) - Legacy Remembers .
Thanks,
Pete Foster 1957

 *Faye Mentnech Turchiano (Class of 1969) passed away, according to a post on Facebook by her sister, Dale Mentnech Baker.