John G. Gaglione, past super distinguished lieutenant governor, past NY Kiwanis Foundation president and an honorary past district governor, passed away Jan. 20, 2000.

John served on the foundation board from 1985 to 1994. He was elected president in 1989, a position he held until he stepped down in 1997. Both John and his sidekick Frank D'Orazi, who served as vice president while John was president, came to the NY District Foundation Board with considerable credentials in other venues. After leading the LI South Central Division from 1980-81, John became the world's only super distinguished past lieutenant governor with Diamond Growth, having met Kiwanis International's criteria for the title. John was responsible for building two new Kiwanis clubs, one new Circle K Club, one new Key Club, two new Builders Clubs, the largest increase in the District (plus 91). During his year, all of his clubs contributed to the District Outreach Program. Twelve of his LI South Central clubs had distinguished secretaries, 11 clubs had distinguished presidents; and he was the recipient of the Richard Hill and the Sandy Ninninger Awards.

In 1982-1983 John was the International Presidents Project Chairman, the Kiwanis Club of East Meadow's Kiwanian of the Year and installed as an honorary member of the Kiwanis Club of Merrick. John also served as a special assistant to several NY District Kiwanis governors.

John wrote a piece for the souvenir journal handed out for the foundation's 25th anniversary as follows: "Many Kiwanians have contributed to the success of this organization. To single out individuals would be a difficult task, for in doing so I'm sure there are those unheralded people who would be missed. In commemorating our 25th anniversary, it is without hesitation that your foundation board did, in fact, single out an individual who exemplified the most positive and influential driving force...Janis Calabrese, First Lady of the NY District during the tenure of Governor Bob Calabrese 1985-86. It is with fond memories and grateful appreciation we dedicate this journal and our silver anniversary to the memory of Janis Calabrese."

When John was interviewed for a piece in the November/December 1999 Kiwanis magazine, he wanted to talk about membership, a topic he considered one of the most important subjects about Kiwanis. John told the interviewer "that when he joined the East Meadow club in 1970, it was what he called a knife and fork club: members conducted a few projects in the East Meadow area but primarily just met for weekly luncheon meetings. The situation was a cause for concern, which intensified when John was elected the 1976-77 club president. We get our new members involved as soon as humanly possible and we try to provide them with the information they will need to be effective Kiwanians. Education plays an important role of developing members."

Membership was always one of John's main concerns; however, Kamp Kiwanis® was on the top of his list of priorities. During John's tenure as foundation president and with the help of a very conscientious board, the foundation has had an impact on thousands of young lives as the catalytic force in making Kamp Kiwanis®, a girls and boys sleep-away camp in Taberg, what it today - a 55-acre semi-rustic camp that has been developed by the foundation, overseers of its operation. It is accredited by the "American Camping Association" and used by seniors, handicapped persons and youngsters with special needs and deserving disadvantaged girls and boys ages 8 to 14 from throughout NYS. "A week's stay at the camp is an incredible opportunity for underprivileged and physically challenged to experience," John would say time after time.

John has been a community leader much of his adult life. That included being a former Little League Commissioner in East Meadow, where a ballfield is named in his honor, a past president of the East Meadow High School Dad's Club and former member of the NC Task Force on Anti-Vandalism. John is a graduate of St. John's University College of Pharmacy. Although he was retired, he was frequently called upon as a clinical research consultant.

John and his wife Lorraine recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in Hawaii where they were joined by their children.

John is the father of John, Judy and Robert; grandfather of John, Bobby, Chrissy and Stephanie.

John reposed at the Kearns Funeral Home in East Meadow. A funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart RC Church in Merrick followed by the interment at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. In lieu of flowers contributions in memory of John are being accepted at Kamp Kiwanis®, 9020 Kiwanis Rd., PO Box 245, Taberg, NY 13471.