Oyster Bay Town Supervisor John Venditto, together with members of the town board, officially dedicated a new community center in Hicksville recently, naming the facility after the late William P. Bennett. Mr. Bennett, an instrumental and dedicated member of the Hicksville community, passed away on Sept. 12, 2003 at the age of 71.

"This is a fitting tribute to a man who was deeply involved in his home town," Venditto said. "A Hicksville resident for over four decades, Bill Bennett was dedicated to his country, dedicated to his family and dedicated to his community."

A dedicated community activist, Mr. Bennett was involved in various local organizations. "In addition to being involved in several local veteran organizations, Mr. Bennett was also a member of the board of education in the Hicksville School District for 13 years," Venditto said. "He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Hicksville Community Council, the Hicksville Public Library Board, director of the Hicksville Gregory Museum and served on the Town of Oyster Bay Veterans Advisory Committee and the Improvement of the Hamlet of Hicksville."

The supervisor added that Mr. Bennett served as president in many of these organizations and was also presented with several awards from these and other community groups. "I can't think of any individual more passionately involved in his community throughout his entire life," Venditto stated. "With this new center, Bill Bennett will forever be home in Hicksville."

Mr. Bennett was also extremely dedicated to Holy Family Church, serving as chairman of the Holy Family Parish Council as well as a lector and religious education teacher. He served as treasurer of the Holy Family CYO Bowling League, chairman of the St. Vincent DePaul Society and was a standing member of the Nocturnal Adoration Society and the Holy Name Society. Mr. Bennett was also a decorated veteran who served in Korea in the 1950s, receiving the Bronze Star Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and various United Nations Service Medals. On a local front, he served as Nassau County Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars from 2000 to 2001, New York State Historian under State Commander Harry Wurth and was Commander of Hicksville's Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3211.

According to Venditto, the William P. Bennett Hicksville Community Center has a meeting room that accommodates about 100 people, which can be reserved by non-profit organizations in the Town of Oyster Bay to conduct meetings. Based on availability, the room can be reserved Monday through Friday, except on Town of Oyster Bay holidays.

Organizations may reserve an open time by writing to Commissioner Bruce E. Foley, Town of Oyster Bay Department of Community and Youth Services, 977 Hicksville Road, Massapequa, NY 11758. Permits will be issued for use of the building. Any questions regarding the use of the facility can be directed to the Department of Community and Youth Services at 797-7900.

In addition to being available to local non-profit organizations, the Town of Oyster Bay Veterans Services Division, formerly located at Town Hall South in Massapequa, will also be housed in the center. Plans are currently underway to extend the Town of Oyster Bay Group Activities Program (GAP) for the handicapped to the center as well.

"It is my honor to name the newest gathering place for residents of the Hicksville community after William P. Bennett," Venditto concluded. "I'm sure that residents who congregate here will enjoy this facility for many years to come."