More than 100 Hicksville residents and members of the Hicksville Gardens Civic Association (HGCA) gathered at the Hicksville Public Library on June 9 to honor Frank Goban, a 50-year resident and a longtime member of the association who passed away unexpectedly in February at the age of 78.

Mr. Goban served for 13 years as chief of staff for former Democratic Assemblyman David Sidikman and was an active member of the Nassau County Democratic Committee. In 1989, Mr. Goban ran for Oyster Bay Town Supervisor and in 1995, was the Democratic candidate for Nassau County's 17th Legislative District. He also ran for United States Congress in 1988 and 1990 and for Oyster Bay Town Board in 1999. Mr. Goban was a member of the Nassau County Family Law Task Force and the Oyster Bay Town Anti-Bias Task Force.

Mr. Goban earned a bachelor's of science degree in chemistry from Fordham University. He was a captain in the United States Air Force, serving in the Korean War and also held a commercial pilot's license. Professionally, Mr. Goban worked for several major pharmaceutical companies, including Global Waste Management, and started up two plastic companies, Total Plastic Consulting and Island Extrusion Corp.

On a local front, Mr. Goban was involved in community affairs in Hicksville, including the Hicksville Community Council, Our Lady of Mercy Parish and was an active member of the HGCA and at civic meetings, would often be spotted taking pictures for the Hicksville Illustrated News.

At the start of the tribute, Judi Roche, HGCA's newly inducted secretary, presented Mr. Goban's wife, Mildred, with a bouquet of carnations.

President Henry Goessmann then introduced Stanley Kobin, former HGCA president, to say a few words about Mr. Goban. Kobin gave a brief history of the organization and Mr. Goban's involvement from the beginning. He spoke of the development of Joseph Lane, the Greek Church, proposed cell phone towers, heliports and the close bond he and Mr. Goban had established over the years.

Following Kobin, Nassau County Executive Tom Souzzi reflected on his memories of Mr. Goban as a family man, friend, veteran, inventor, pilot, community volunteer, political activist and lifelong Democratic Party member. Suozzi stated that he knew Mr. Goban and his family for many years and thanks Mrs. Goban for all her husband did.

Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto was then called to the floor. Venditto spoke of Mr. Goban as his friend and colleague; a person who always had the community's best interest at heart. Venditto presented the Goban family with a Town of Oyster Bay citation recognizing Mr. Goban for his community involvement and civic dedication.

Nassau County Legislator Ed Mangano spoke next remembering Mr. Goban as a friend and political adversary who, when he ran against him for the 17th Legislative District, always kept things civil throughout the campaign. Mangano presented the Goban family with a Nassau County citation in appreciation of Mr. Goban's efforts and accomplishments.

New York State Senator Carl Marcellino (5th S.D.) was unable to attend but sent a citation acknowledging Mr. Goban's civic involvement and community efforts. Oyster Bay Town Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker presented the citation on behalf of the senator. In addition, Walker also remembered Mr. Goban as a friend and fellow dedicated Hicksville resident who always had the community's best interest at heart.

New York State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine (13th A.D.) and his assistant Doug Watson were also in attendance. Watson spoke of Mr. Goban recalling numerous comical encounters they both experienced throughout the years. Lavine spoke fondly of Mr. Goban and presented the family with a citation from the New York State Assembly. Also present at the meeting was Oyster Bay Town Councilman Mary McCaffery who spoke briefly about Mr. Goban.

Goessmann then took the floor and quoted Ralph Waldo Emerson saying, "To laugh often and much; to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; to leave the world a bit better; whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you lived. This is to have succeeded. Frank surely did succeed, not just by one of Emerson's definitions, but by all.

"Frank provided the voice of reason, giving fatherly advice when he felt it was needed. He was a family man, a veteran, a community activist and a friend. He was a well spoken educated man who always made himself available helping this organization get through some of its most difficult times.

"On behalf of the entire membership of the Hicksville Gardens Civic Association I would now like to present this plaque to Mildred and the entire Goban family."

The plaque reads:

"Angels may not dress the part,

With robes and wings that soar,

Often angels come as friends

Knocking at your door - Unknown.

Thank you and God bless you Frank for knocking on our door and thank you Mildred for sharing Frank with us. Served 1984-2005. The Hicksville Gardens Civic Association"