The Village of Mineola was rocked with sad news when Jack Hehman, who served as president of the Mineola Historical Society since its inception 13 years ago, died on Monday, Jan. 21 at the age of 56. Mr. Hehman will be remembered as a loving family man, someone who cared deeply for his community and a classy gentleman.

"The community is really at a loss," said Mayor John P. Colbert. "It would be very difficult to find an individual with the talents and sincerity he had."

To his wife Marie, sons Jason and Ryan, Jack Hehman was a loving husband and father. To others who knew him, he was a dear friend whose mere presence many found uplifting. "If I had to describe Jack in one word, it would be happy," said village trustee and good friend Maryanne Warnecke. "He always had a smile on his face. You could be down and he just made you feel good."

During a memorial Mass, Father Bob Batule from Corpus Christi said Mr. Hehman was a man with strong convictions and values who cared deeply for his family. Yet he was not selfish with his talents and love. Mr. Hehman will also be remembered as someone who loved his community and the village greatly benefited from his desire to make Mineola better.

"He cared deeply for his fellow man and his community," said district court judge and friend Scott Fairgrieve, who indicated that this year's Mineola Mustang Run would be held in Mr. Hehman's honor.

Among his community interests was his involvement in the Corpus Christi Church community. He was instrumental in the building of the jungle gym in the back of the Corpus Christi School. Following his retirement as an engineer for the railroad, Mr. Hehman went to work for the Village of Mineola in 2000 as the "go to guy" for the Operation Downtown. "With his talents as being an engineer as well as being the historical society president, I felt that he could play a sincere role in Operation Downtown and also with the historical value of properties," said Mayor Colbert.

Deputy Mayor Lou Santosus said that Mr. Hehman was happy to have worked for the village. He was able to see the first three structures - the gazebo in Memorial Park, the Auxiliary Police headquarters and the snack stand in Wiliston Park - in Mineola receive historical landmark designations. In fact, Mr. Hehman made the presentation for the three structures in front of the board.

Since he loved village history, Mr. Hehman was most known for his efforts as president and one of the founding members of the Mineola Historical Society. He spent numerous hours, helping to preserve the history of the village he called home, and took great pride in his work.

Village historian Neil Young recalled his ritual with Jack - meeting at the historical society building and then going for coffee at the Mineola Diner. "Jack had a good sense of humor and had a passion for history. When he set his mind to a job, he got it done. I consider him a good friend," Mr. Young said.

Members of the historical society know the soul of their organization is no longer with them, but they will try their best to continue his efforts. Mr. Young expects it to be strange, going to the next historical society meeting without Mr. Hehman's presence. But he hopes to keep Mr. Hehman a part of the organization forever by perhaps having the historical society's headquarters on Westbury Avenue dedicated to his memory.

But members of the historical society will find it difficult to continue without the man who was considered the essence of Mineola history. "We'll never replace Jack, never," said village trustee, fellow historical society member and friend Elizabeth A.J. Conlon. "He was the historical society of Mineola. He was the one with all the energy, all the effort. He put so much into it that we have to keep in going in memory of him."

Those who knew him admired his work ethic and his persistence. "There was always a way around something. If you got stuck around something, he would say that we would work it out. He had great perseverance. He just didn't let things throw him," said Ms. Conlon.

"I think we're just realizing how much he did," said village trustee, the board's liaison to the historical society and friend, Linda Fairgrieve.

When the Mineola Historical Society began 13 years ago, Mr. Hehman quietly volunteered to be the organization's president. He remained the historical society's only president since there was never any reason to change as the historical society prospered due to Mr. Hehman's dedication.

But even more than his involvement in the community, perhaps Mr. Hehman will be best remembered for the qualities he possessed. With a gentle smile, Mr. Hehman was the kind of person people enjoyed being around. He carried himself with dignity and made others feel his energy and enthusiasm for life. Whether he was at the Mineola Fair promoting the historical society, at the society's annual garage sale, helping out at the Mustang Run or just seen in passing, his warmth was contagious.

"He was the nicest, most reasonable man. I never saw him in a bad mood or in a bad frame of mind, never. He was always pleasant, upbeat and positive," said Mrs. Fairgrieve.

"Jack was the type of man that you would want for your son, for your brother, and for a neighbor," said Mayor Colbert. "He was the type of guy you wished you could be. I can still see him with that smile. He held the village as if it was his own."

It is fitting that since Mr. Hehman loved history, his memory will forever be etched in the hearts of those who knew him. His legacy is his family and the lasting impression he had on his community. "It's our loss but we're better for knowing him," said Mrs. Warnecke.