“He assembled an entire group of caring residents willing to help their neighbors in that extremely trying time,” Murray said of Croutier. “My father remembers his guidance, determination, courage and vision in helping to mend our community.”

Among the many luminaries at the party were State Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, Assemblyman Brian Curran, Hempstead Town Councilman Anthony Santino, County District Court Judge Anthony Paradiso, Village Justice Kevin McDonough, Village Administrator Keith Spadaro, Deputy Mayor Nancy Howard, Trustees Kevin Glynn and Michael Sepe and Molloy College President Dr. Drew Bogner.

Gina Naomi Baez sang the national anthem, and Monsignor William Koenig, of St. Agnes Cathedral Parish, delivered the invocation. A number of former village officials, including Deputy Mayors Wayne Lipton and Chris Amato, Trustees Tom Glynn, Jack Matthews, Greg Rinn and Jeff Greenfield and Justices Frank Yannelli, Bob Williams and Peter Rubin also attended the event, the Community Fund’s primary fundraiser.