By Mary Malloy
"Greg was dedicated to working for what was in the best interests of West Hempstead," said Rosalie Norton, president of the civic association. "He was passionate about his faith, his family and his desire to improve his community. If one is to be measured by how many friends you make during a lifetime and the respect you receive, then Greg was a giant."
Yuknek, who was born in New York City, was the president of Millennium Medical Management in Hempstead. "Greg was a phenomenal boss," said Vice President of Operations Damien Caldwell. "He was a man of high moral fiber. He was a wonderful person as well as a mentor. He wasn't afraid to share his knowledge and experience with all of us."
According to his longtime West Hempstead friend Seth D. Bykofsky, Yuknek was a fighter. "It came as no surprise," Bykofsky said, "that he would take on this disease ... with dignity, with strength, and always, with a smile on his face."
Yuknek attended St. Thomas the Apostle Church in West Hempstead. "I found him to be immensely devoted to the community," said Monsignor James Lisante. "He got people involved and put himself on the line. He was filled with zeal about new projects in the community. Even when he was ill, he wanted to make sure the community was insured. He had informed opinions, and always knew what was going on - and he wasn't afraid to rattle some cages."
"Improving West Hempstead was his passion, and the chamber his chariot," said Norton. "... He worked to instill a sense of community pride and encouraged everyone to work together." According to Norton, Yuknek was a staunch advocate for the new West Hempstead library, the redevelopment of the Courtesy Hotel property and the need to revitalize the business community through a beautification program. "
Yuknek is survived by his wife, Monica; his father, Leo; two brothers, Mark and Christopher, and a sister, Joli. He was predeceased by his mother, Josephine. A wake was scheduled for Wednesday at Barnes-Sorrentino Funeral Home in West Hempstead, to be followed by a funeral mass at St. Thomas the Apostle Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Yuknek's honor to the International Myeloma Foundation.
