As anyone who knew him well can tell you, Karl Anton was a very special person. His support for the Nassau Boy Scouts, Nassau County Museum of Art and Foundation for Long Island State Parks are just three examples of his concern for the Long Island region's quality for life. He was generous.

Karl took a group of local newspapers and turned them into an impressive, cohesive voice for the North Shore. He was innovative and never stopped thinking about how to improve his publications. I recall a stimulating meeting Karl and I had to discuss how Anton Newspapers' data base could be used to disseminate community information on the Internet. I recall, too, that whenever I sought his counsel, he was wise and helpful.

I suppose I could go on and on, but the point of all this is to say that I have lost a valued friend and, we are all the less for his passing.

Howard Blankman

The Blankman Group, LLC

Garden City