Village plans tribute to former deputy mayor Norman L. Dreyer
Residents of Lynbrook, East Rockaway and the Five Towns are mourning the death of Norman L. Dreyer, former Lynbrook Village trustee and deputy mayor who dedicated much of his life to the community, particularly the children. Dreyer died last Friday at Mt. Sinai Medical Center in Manhattan from complications he suffered after a heart operation. He was 75.
Hundreds attended a memorial service Sunday at Boulevard-Riverside Memorial Chapel in Hewlett, where "Norm" was described as a cornerstone in people's lives, with a consistent, unending loyalty and passion for the people, places and things he loved.
"We're shocked. He will never be replaced," said Dave Smollett, village utility administrator who met Dreyer in 1985. Lynbrook officials plan to establish a memorial at Greis Park in Dreyer's honor, in conjunction with the refurbishment of Field Diamond A.
Dreyer is survived by his wife, Jackie, and his daughters, Dianne, Janine and her husband, Nils Nichols. He also leaves behind his brothers, Robert and Peter Dreyer, and his grandson, Skylar Nichols.
Dreyer was born on Feb. 23, 1926 in New York City. He attended Woodmere Academy, but left high school at age 17 to enlist in the Navy, for which he served during World War II. The Navy then sent him to Harvard University. Dreyer went on to attend Cornell University Law School, and began his career as an attorney, a job he would remain active in until his death.
A Lynbrook resident since 1969, Dreyer was described as a determined but sensitive individual who loved young children and made them his first priority. He played an active role in the Lynbrook Little League for the past 28 years. He served as its president and attended seasonal games and little league functions throughout the year. During the off-season, he helped with paperwork and planning. Family and friends said Dreyer's enthusiasm never wavered over the years as he coached, umpired and watched thousands of games.
"Whatever was best for the kids is what he sought to accomplish," said Richard Kanter of East Rockaway, a friend of Dreyer's who met him 25 years ago as an umpire.
In addition to dedicating himself to various sports, Dreyer immersed himself in a wide variety of community activities. He served as village trustee and deputy mayor from 1984 until 1991, and served as liaison to Lynbrook's Recreation Commission and Village Inter-Governmental Affairs. After years of service to the LINK Counseling Center of Lynbrook, he returned to its board of directors six months ago. He also served as a member of Lynbrook's Senior Citizen Council.
Dreyer was recognized last Wednesday at the Lynbrook/East Rockaway Rotary Club's Fourth Annual Awards dinner for his achievements. Lynbrook Mayor Gene Scarpato accepted the John Rosetti Service Above Self Award on Dreyer's behalf.
Dreyer and his wife, Jackie, celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary this past April. The couple's daughter, Janine, is a music producer and writer for Martha Stewart Publications, and their other daughter, Dianne, is a movie script supervisor who is currently working on a project with actor Richard Gere.
This year, Dreyer and his wife also celebrated their 65th year of volunteer service at Brant Lake Youth Camp in upstate New York, which Norman attended as a boy. The couple's late son, Andrew, a graduate of Lynbrook High School, was tragically killed in an accident at the camp just before he was to attend Emory University. Shortly after his death in 1983, a memorial fund was organized by a handful of Brant Lake alumni to send several boys to the camp each year in his memory.
William Frischling, a family friend who met Dreyer at the camp in 1978, described him as honest, fair, caring and compassionate.
"He was always interested in us, always humorous, and always direct," Frischling said. "Norm knew how we felt about him and his family and although he was too modest to say so, it made him feel good. I'm thankful that we were able to show him how much he and his family meant to us before he died."
Dreyer was buried at Mt. Ararat Cemetery in Farmingdale. In accordance with the Jewish faith, his family is sitting shivah at their home on Union Place.
"I think [the community] knows how much my father loved this town, the children, and the Little League," said Dreyer's daughter, Janine.
In lieu of flowers, family members request that contributions be sent to the Andrew Dreyer Memorial Find, c/o William Frischling, 444 East 86th Street, Suite 8F, New York, NY 10028.
