Lynbrook names its Man, Woman of the Year

Boisterous chants of “Bubba” were blurted from Lynbrook firefighters and echoed through the Francis X. Becker Rotunda at Village Hall as Kevin Bien was announced as the village’s 2018 Man of the Year. Moments earlier, an emotional Rose McKee addressed those gathered and expressed her appreciation for being named Woman of the Year.

The pomp and circumstance was all a part of the yearly tradition where the Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Alan Beach and the board of trustees honor Lynbrook’s most selfless, community-driven residents.

“Kevin is a lifelong member of Lynbrook and continues to be an active member of his community,” Beach said of Bien. “… This is an honor to be able to present you as Man of the Year.”

Bien joined the Lynbrook Fire Department in July 1979 when he was 15. When he turned 18, he joined Rescue Hook & Ladder Co. No. 1 and served as captain from 1993-95. In 2006, he was elected as third assistant chief and after 26 years with the department, he became its chief in 2009 — following in his father’s footsteps. He now serves as the delegate for the Fourth Battalion Fire District.

Along with being a firefighter, Bien has worked many years with Nassau County Firefighters Operation Wounded Warrior, providing support to injured military men and women. He has frequently made trips to Washington, D.C., North Carolina and Maryland during the holiday season to bring care packages to injured veterans. Since 2010, he has chaired a committee that organizes a concert fundraiser to support NCFF-OWW, which has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Resident Karen Gordon nominated Bien for the honor. He has been married to his wife, Barbara, for 23 years and they have three daughters, Stephanie, Nicole and Jennifer.

“When I was notified about this prestigious award, I was speechless and shocked,” Bien said. “There are so many outstanding residents in this village that do extraordinary things day in and day out. To be singled out is an honor.”

McKee was nominated for Woman of the Year by Chamber of Commerce President Carol Burak because of her work supporting senior citizens.

“Rose is not one to mince words,” Burak said. “She tells it as it is. She is warm, sincere, fun-loving, kind, generous to a fault and never allows people to praise her in public. She worked all her life to support her family.”

McKee lives at Nathan Hale Housing and as vice president of Lynbrook Seniors, she supports and takes care of senior citizens by tending to their needs and bringing them treats. She is also very active within the community in other ways.

“It’s more than an honor to be up here, you have no idea what I’ve been put through this whole week,” an emotional McKee said when addressing those gathered at Village Hall. “It’s like a dream and I don’t want to let go.”

Burak said that McKee may not be able to solve many of the world’s problems, but with people like her serving the community, she helps make Lynbrook a better place.

“If you’re looking for an ordinary, down to earth human being who just wants to be someone in her community who contributes in a small way to making a difference in the world,” Burak said, “then Rose McKee is that person.”