Former E. Rock mayor dies Ted Reinhard succumbs to Lou Gehrig's disease

      "His one overriding concern in all things was for the board to always do what was best for the residents of our community," said Murray Eskenazi in a heartfelt letter to the Herald. "In this he succeeded like the true champion he was." Eskenazi served on the Village Board as deputy mayor with Mr. Reinhard for eight years.
      Mr. Reinhard was a devoted member of St. Raymond's Holy Name Society and Msgr. Walsh's Council of the Knights of Columbus. An ex-Marine, he was a member of East Rockaway American Legion Post No. 958 and the Veterans of Foreign War Post No. 3350.
      A man of big heart and indomitable spirit, Mr. Reinhard battled Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), or Lou Gehrig's Disease, for more than six months.
      "A good and honest and selfless man has passed from our midst," said Eskenazi. "He did his duty to his family, his country and to his community ... in an exemplary fashion."
      Mr. Reinhard served the village as chairman of the zoning board before his long stint as mayor. With more than 24 years of service to the village in those capacities, he became known as a man who listened and truly cared about the residents of the village.
      "He had an open ear for everyone," said former village justice and lifelong friend Jack Steingart. "Ted was committed to public service, his family and his friends."
      A moment of silence was observed in Mr. Reinhard's honor at the village board meeting on July 14. Mayor Joe Carrigan, the Board of Trustees and all in attendance bowed their heads and remembered a man who made a difference in a village he loved.
      "He was one of the brightest, most personable, dedicated people I've ever met," Steingart said. "I don't know anybody who was more loved by those he touched."
      A funeral Mass was offered earlier this week at St. Raymond's in East Rockaway, followed by entombment at Holy Rood Cemetery in Westbury. The family has asked that donations be sent to the ALS Association, 27001 Agoura Road, Suite 150, Calabasas Hills, Calif. 91301.
      "The simple, honest decency of the man was his greatest gift to East Rockaway," said Eskenazi.
      Mr. Reinhard is survived by his wife, Maureen, a brother, Robert Reinhard, a sister, Faith Ann Stanley, two sons, Kevin and Christopher Reinhard, two daughters, Doreen Johnson and Donna Harmon, and six grandchildren.