A ceremony was held on May 29 to honor Jeffrey Allen Mosenson and dedicate the Syosset-Woodbury Town Park pool in his honor. Jeffrey was traveling to class at the New York Institute of Technology from his Woodbury home on Jan. 28, 2003 when he was involved in a fatal car accident. Jeffrey was only 20 years old.

The Jericho Fire Department, of which Jeffrey was a member, presented the colors at the ceremony and Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor John Venditto welcomed those in attendance on a day when the sun was shining down on the park, the baseball games that were taking place nearby and also the dedication ceremony. Venditto reminded everyone that they were there to celebrate someone's life, rather than focus on death.

"Jeffrey Mosenson was someone who in 20 years accomplished and did more than many of us do in 40, 60, 80 or even 100 years," said Venditto. "His life is amazing."

Venditto urged everyone to go to the website that has been set up in Jeffrey's honor at www.jeffreymosenson.com. "You will be overwhelmed by this website and you will leave with a tear and a smile," said Venditto.

Jeffrey was involved in many organizations and had many friends from different places. Venditto said this pool dedication should serve as a gateway to Jeffrey - someone who should be thought of as a role model. "We look for role models in life," said Venditto. "Well, your search has ended. You can come to Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, set aside a couple of minutes to learn about a decent young man and study the things he did because he always did the right thing. He is what the town, nation and world should be all about and we have to finish what Jeffrey started. He is a true role model."

Jeffrey was a member of the Jericho Fire Department and he was named the In-house King for recording the most hours at the fire department in 2000. He also had the top training attendance record in 2000.

Rev. John Lottes, past chief of the Jericho Fire Department and department chaplain, spoke to those in attendance about the tragic loss of Jeffrey from the community and the department. "On January 28, 2003, we lost the most aspiring and inspiring member of the department," commented Lottes, who said that Jeffrey was not a typical "Generation X kid" but rather an exemplary person who everyone should learn from.

Ben Di Leo, past president of the Syosset Baseball Association, spoke about Jeffrey when he was younger and involved in Syosset baseball as a player. "It's no accident that Jeffrey turned into the man that he was," said Di Leo crediting Jeffrey's parents, David and Gayle Mosenson with raising a great family including Jeffrey and siblings Jonathan, Joanna and Jenna. "Let's honor him by being better because of him."

Members of the Commack Ambulance Corporation, of which Jeffrey was a member, were also at the ceremony and presented a memorial wreath to the Mosenson family.

Town of Oyster Bay Councilwoman Mary McCaffrey, Councilwoman Rose Marie Walker, Councilman Chris Coschignano and Town Clerk Steve Labriola all attended the ceremony to honor Jeffrey.

Although Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs could not attend the ceremony, a citation was presented to the Mosenson family from Jacobs and the Nassau County Legislature honoring Jeffrey.

Jeffrey's parents David and Gayle unveiled the new sign dedicating the pool at Syosset-Woodbury Community Park in Jeffrey's memory.

"The world may seem like a poorer place because we lost Jeffrey, but the truth is that it is a better place because we had him," said Venditto.

The Jeffrey Mosenson Memorial Fund was established for other young men and women to pursue their dreams with the same love, spirit and dedication that Jeffrey had. Contributions can be made to Jeffrey Mosenson Memorial Fund; 7 Castle Drive, Woodbury, NY 11797. Please visit www.jeffreymosenson.com and also the pool Syosset-Woodbury Community Park, located at 7800 Jericho Turnpike in Woodbury.