By MIKE CAPUTO
Mr. Waldinger owned and operated Midway Drugs, an independent pharmacy in Salisbury. A sign remains on the front windows of the pharmacy, stating "You're a stranger here but once." The term is fitting for Mr. Waldinger's store, which is rooted upon family values, noted Krissy Mercardante, his long-time business partner and close friend.
Since the pharmacy's doors were opened in 1974, Mr. Waldinger was known as a giver to not only his customers, but to the community as a whole. Friends said he always contributed to local organizations, places of worship and charities. Mr. Waldinger was also known to support local businesses by shopping exclusively in community stores, while staying away from malls and chain outlets.
He also was known to never refuse someone in need. Mercardante recalled one instance when Mr. Waldinger ventured to his store after hours during a strong blizzard to get medicine for a sick child. Mr. Waldinger then trudged through the snow to personally deliver the medication to the family.
Never refusing those in need was one of several characteristics that molded the strong, comforting relationship that Mr. Waldinger held with his staff and customers.
"Everyone here is our family," Mercardante said.
Regardless of the topic - health, financial, personal - Mr. Waldinger was always willing to talk to his customers who sought help or advice.
"You wouldn't just come here just for the medicine," Mercardante said. "We knew their families talked about families and problems didn't have to be related to health. This is where you come and talk about your
problems."
He was a steady presence at Midway Drugs, and even to his final days, he was known to rarely take days off. Almost immediately after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in mid-August, Mr. Waldinger promptly reported to work. He continued working until about a month before his death, when he could no longer stand on his own power.
"He wanted to be here," said Mercardante, who had been a business partner with Mr. Waldinger for 22 years and visited the pharmacy regularly as a child. "He didn't take time off for anything and went to work like he always did - until he couldn't stand. That's what it took."
Many customers were shocked to hear the news of his passing as they came to fulfill prescriptions in the week following his death. Mr. Waldinger had requested family members and close friends not to reveal his terminal illness, something that did not surprise Mercardante.
"He always put himself last," she said.
Like Mercardante, Christina Morace has fond memories of her childhood visits to the pharmacy and during her time working there. Morace has worked at the pharmacy for six years, since she was a junior in high school.
She also remembers Mr. Waldinger for his friendly demeanor and generosity to others. Whenever people approached Mr. Waldinger with a problem, he would always follow up with them, she said.
"Whenever you told him something once, he always remembered it," Morace said, "and he would keep checking up on them."
In addition to being her boss and friend, Mr. Waldinger also was an important source of information. He was always willing to answer Morace's questions during their times together in the pharmacy.
"He was a fountain of information," Morace said. "He used to say he was the 'top knower of useless information.' He had the greatest stories."
Mr. Waldinger grew up in Carle Place, and is a graduate of St. John's University.
Mr. Waldinger is survived by wife, Gloria (nee Hojnacki) Waldinger; children, Melissa Bosonac, Debra and David Waldinger; stepchildren, Alan Berner and Vicki Berner; sister, Susan (Herb) Mendelson; grandchildren, Matthew and Hunter; and friend and business partner, Krissy (Nick) Mercardante.
A private service was held for close family and friends on Sunday, Oct. 5 at Gutterman's Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Foundation or Hospice Care Network, Sunnyside Blvd., Woodbury.
The community is invited to a memorial service for Mr. Waldinger on Sunday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. in the Community Reform Temple, 712 The Plain Road, Salisbury.
Comments about this story? MCaputo@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 287.
