The community of Mineola lost one of its pillars when Angelo "Angie" Plaia died on July 28,2006 at the age of 79. Plaia was an educator and coach and served on the Mineola Village Board of Trustees from 1976 to 1982.

Those who knew him remember him fondly. Former Mineola Mayor Bob Hinck was Plaia's running mate in village elections. "Angie was the best of the best of the best," said Hinck.

Hinck and Plaia took on the popular Citizen Party in 1976, although Hinck was first elected in 1974. The two prevailed in 1976, 1978, 1980 and decided to step down in 1982.

Plaia is a graduate of Lafayette High School in Brooklyn, New York. He went to New York University on a football scholarship and then received his master's degree from Columbia University. In 1949, he began his teaching career.

When the draft was instituted for the Korean War, Plaia had an exemption because of knee injuries he suffered while playing football. However, he waved the exemption and volunteered, serving as a medic.

His teaching and coaching career included working at Lafayette, and Oceanside High School. For five years, he served as the Oceanside School system athletic director, but chose to work with kids instead of continuing in that role. As a teacher and coach he impacted the lives of many students.

His community involvement included being a member of the Mineola Athletic Association, Knights of Columbus, the president of the Corpus Christi School Board and a lector at Corpus Christi Church. "He provided a stepping stone to make the community better," said Hinck.

"He went by the creed that one serves his church, his community and his country and he did all those things," said Mary Ann Plaia, Angie's loving wife of 50 years.

In 1976, Plaia and Hinck successfully took on the Citizen Party, which at the time was a political powerhouse in the village. Plaia believed strongly in having two parties in the village government. "Angie told it as it was, as he saw it, honest and straightforward," said Hinck, borrowing a quote from Assemblyman Tom DiNapoli.

Plaia is survived by Mary Ann, who is active in the Mineola Leisure Club. The couple met while they were both teaching at Lafayette High School. They have five children and 10 grandchildren. "I'll miss everything about him. He had a wonderful sense of humor. He was like a rock. You could count on him for anything. I'll miss that," she said.

The funeral Mass was said by Father Tomas Gomide.

At last week's Village of Mineola Board of Trustees meeting, a moment of silence was said for Plaia, who Mayor Jack Martins said impacted the lives of those who grew up in the village.

— Joe Rizza