Husowitz Comes to Save the Day

By James Kennedy

Steven Husowitz was honored by the Mineola Village Board last Wednesday, for his heroic actions on behalf of the people of Mineola. The man who was dubbed Mighty Mouse when he was in the armed service is a decorated hero who has been moved to action on more than one occasion.

Husowitz's four citizen's arrests as a postman have garnered him, among other things, citations from the postal service, including two beyond the call of duty.

The 30 year employee of the Hempstead Post Office, and current Mineola School District bus driver, has also been awarded with two safe driver award buckles.

Mineola had chosen to honor Husowitz for an incident two years ago, when he was rudely awakened around 2:30 a.m. by a "heavy metal banging noise." His wife of 27 years, Mary, suggested it might be coming from the Long Island Railroad tracks next to which they live.

Not satisfied with that explanation, Husowitz investigated and found a lone man walking down the street with a parking meter in his hands. Husowitz notified the police who came to the scene and nabbed the perpetrator.

This is not the first time that he has become actively involved in crime situations. In fact, this was not the first time in which he has stopped the theft of parking meters.

Husowitz once informed the police of two youths who were taking the meters and for his involvement he received a letter from the police in thanks.

Husowitz received another letter commending his actions in one particularly frightening incident in which he came upon a man holding a gun at a deli exclaiming, "I'm gonna blow you away!" Husowitz promptly phoned the police.

He explained his uncanny knack for finding such situations by saying, "I keep my eyes open all the time."

One day a woman standing on the street by the Hempstead Railroad Station flagged Husowitz down while he was doing his postal deliveries. She explained to him that a man had taken another woman's pocketbook and fled.

Husowitz figured that the man had fled across the tracks, so he drove his truck up Main Street. He witnessed a man carrying something under his coat, so he pulled in front of the perpetrator and held him until the police arrived.

Husowitz was also involved in the apprehension of two men who walked off with "a case of spirits," which they took from the back of a woman's station wagon in front of a liquor store. Husowitz called the police and they grabbed the thiefs.

He attributes his good nature to a hard lived life, fully appreciating the rewards his good deeds bring. "I like to be a good hearted person. It doesn't cost anything to be nice." He advises others to think of their fellow man as well.

Having retired from the post office 12 and a half years ago, this 72-year-old come March, continues his good deeds teaching the blind to bowl in a program called VIP bowling (VIP stands for visually impaired) every other Saturday at the East Meadow Bowl.

With one more award to add to his collection this civically minded hero is content. "I have a lovely wife," stated Husowitz, "I love Mineola. Life is pretty good."