Former GN Mayor Allen Hessel Dies

By Wendy K. Kreitzman

Former Village of Great Neck Mayor Allen Hessel died, suddenly, on Sunday, Oct. 26. A long-time Great Neck resident, he was 60 years old.

Mayor Hessel served, briefly, as mayor, from May to July 6, 1993, when Mayor Sidney Evans stepped down to serve on a special district.

''Allen was a wise and dedicated public servant with whom I had the privilege of serving on a number of village boards,'' says current Village of Great Neck Mayor Steve Tell, ''His warmth, humor, and kindness will be sorely missed.''

Mayor Hessel also served as a trustee for the Village of Great Neck from 1989 until 1993, serving as deputy mayor from July 1992 until he became mayor.

He was also a member of the village's planning board from 1985 through 1990, serving as chairman during 1989 and 1990.

A very civic-minded citizen, Mayor Hessel was always ready to volunteer. When his two sons were small he was involved with the local Little League.

During the past several years Mayor Hessel and his wife became extremely interested in Israel, where they have a large extended family. Mrs. Renee Hessel has asked that anyone who wishes to make a donation in Allen Hessel's memory, send a contribution to either the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C., or to Yad Vashem in Israel.

Allen Hessel is survived by his wife, Renee; his children, Brian Hessel, and Howard and Bethany Hessel and granddaughter Morgan Emily; and his brother, Joseph Hessel.